BALD MOUNTAIN MINE NORTH OPERATIONS AREA EXPANSION

JBR recently prepared the Bald Mountain Mine North Operations Area Expansion Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). JBR served as the third-party EIS contractor. The lead agency was the BLM, Ely District Office, Nevada. Barrick Gold US proposed to expand the Bald Mountain Mine, located approximately 65 miles northwest of Ely, Nevada. The Proposed Action included the expansion of open pits, rock disposal facilities, heap leach facilities, and haul roads. The Proposed Action also included the development of a new open pit, associated rock disposal facilities, a truck shop, and top soil stockpiles. The Proposed Action combined the existing Bald Mountain Mine with the existing Mooney Basin Operations area. The combined project boundary totaled approximately 16,465 acres, the majority encompassing public lands. The Proposed Action resulted in approximately 3,920 acres of new disturbance, bringing the total disturbance at the mine site to 8,085 acres. Significant issues identified and analyzed in the EIS included air quality, mercury, water quality, wildlife (including deer migration), threatened and endangered species, cultural resources and Native American Religious Concerns, and socioeconomics. JBR was instrumental in preparing the Preliminary Draft EIS document in 4 ½ months from project initiation. The FEIS and Record of Decision were issued in January 2010.

• Catherine Clark - Division Manager -