BLM set to approve Thompson Creek mine expansion

The Bureau of Land Management will conditionally approve a modified plan that will allow the Thompson Creek Mine to produce molybdenum for another 10 years.

The approval, part of a Record of Decision to be announced Thursday, will likely result in additional surface disturbance of about 500 acres of BLM, National Forest, and private land. Most of the disturbed land will be used for the permanent storage of waste rock following the extraction of molybdenum ore.

Molybdenum is used as a component to reduce corrosion and strengthen steel and other metals that are typically used in construction.

At its peak, the mine employs about 400 people in the Challis area. The economic impact of the mine on Custer County was part of a the mine plan approved by the BLM Record of Decision.

A final environmental impact statement focuses on the potential environmental effects of the mine, including water quality concerns, containment of waste rock and tailings, and management of all water that contacts the mine.

Copies of the Final EIS and RODs are available here. and at the BLM Challis Field Office, 1151 Blue Mountain Road, Challis, Idaho 83226.