The location of the Tony Mine area of operations is marked with a red ‘X’ on this map of Summit County. The U.S. Forest Service began accepting public comments Saturday, May 25, 2024, on the plans for the silver mine’s operations U.S. Forest Service/Courtesy illustration
The White River National Forest is seeking comments on a proposed plan of operations for an existing small-scale silver mine 7 miles east of Breckenridge, according to a news release from the Dillon Ranger District.
Under the proposed plans, between two and six mine workers would access the existing mine adit on foot 30 to 45 days per year, June through October, to remove up to one cubic yard of silver ore per working day by backpack to an existing road, the release states. From there, the ore would reportedly be transported by a one-ton pickup truck for off-site processing.
Waste rock would be left in unused portions of the mine, and a 20-foot metal storage container would be placed on the existing access road for tool storage and for use as a bunkhouse for the workers, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
No surface disturbance is anticipated under the proposed plan of operations for the Tony Mine, which is in the Middle Fork of the Swan River drainage, the release states.
The five unpatented mining claims associated with the Tony Mine are held by the operator Cody Brewer, according to project documents, and administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Under the 1872 Mining Law and associated regulations, the Forest Service’s role is to analyze the proposed plan of operations to determine reasonable requirements to ensure that adverse environmental effects to surface resources are minimized as well as to comply with all applicable environmental laws, the release states.
Work could begin as early as this summer. The operator is required to obtain any additional permits that may be necessary from local, state and federal agencies, according to the news release.
White River National Forest seeks comments on proposed silver mine operations
U.S. Forest Service/Courtesy illustration
The White River National Forest is seeking comments on a proposed plan of operations for an existing small-scale silver mine 7 miles east of Breckenridge, according to a news release from the Dillon Ranger District.
Under the proposed plans, between two and six mine workers would access the existing mine adit on foot 30 to 45 days per year, June through October, to remove up to one cubic yard of silver ore per working day by backpack to an existing road, the release states. From there, the ore would reportedly be transported by a one-ton pickup truck for off-site processing.
Waste rock would be left in unused portions of the mine, and a 20-foot metal storage container would be placed on the existing access road for tool storage and for use as a bunkhouse for the workers, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
No surface disturbance is anticipated under the proposed plan of operations for the Tony Mine, which is in the Middle Fork of the Swan River drainage, the release states.
The five unpatented mining claims associated with the Tony Mine are held by the operator Cody Brewer, according to project documents, and administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Under the 1872 Mining Law and associated regulations, the Forest Service’s role is to analyze the proposed plan of operations to determine reasonable requirements to ensure that adverse environmental effects to surface resources are minimized as well as to comply with all applicable environmental laws, the release states.
Work could begin as early as this summer. The operator is required to obtain any additional permits that may be necessary from local, state and federal agencies, according to the news release.
The public comment period will run from May 25 through June 24. For more information, including how to comment, visit fs.usda.gov/project/whiteriver/?project=66140.
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