The Grassy Mountain Gold Mine Project, owned by Calico Resources USA Corp. is a proposed underground gold mine and an indoor processing facility located in Malheur County in eastern Oregon, 22 miles south of Vale. The proposed mineral processing operation will consist of an underground gold mine and ore processing facilities, including a dedicated and permanent mill and tailings storage facility, a temporary waste rock storage facility, and other support facilities.
While the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries manages the consolidated application process for chemical mining permits, DEQ's responsibility is to review Calico's permit applications for proper adherence to environmental regulatory standards and draft permits. Oregon's Chemical Process Mining Rules apply to this project because cyanide is proposed for processing the gold from ore. The overall project is being designed to avoid any discharge to surface or ground waters.
Find out more information about the Grassy Mountain Gold Mine project and view the consolidated permit application on DOGAMI website.
DEQ's Regulatory and Permitting Role
DEQ's role in the Grassy Mountain Gold Mine Project is to ensure any potential mining activities properly adhere to environmental regulations to protect Oregon's people and environment.
DEQ permits included in review are:
- Air contaminant discharge permit that also requires a Cleaner Air Oregon emissions inventory and risk assessment
- Water pollution control facility permit, including water quality and solid waste provisions
- Industrial stormwater permit
- Onsite septic system permit
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Contacts
Antony Sparrow
Public Affairs, Eastern Region, 503-887-9113