The Draft EIS update outlines identified issues, alternatives development and updated maps as well as an overview of impacts for the Resolution Copper Project and Land Exchange. Forest Service officials anticipate releasing the Draft EIS in summer 2019.
A variation of the proposed action described in the May 9, 2016, version of Resolution Copper’s General Plan of Operations, this alternative would include a split-stream tailings processing method with two tailings types.
Shares several similarities with Alternative 2; one key difference is it proposes to reduce the amount of water retained in non-potentially acid generating (NPAG) tailings as well as reduce seepage potential through on-site thickening of NPAG tailings and ‘Thin-lift’ deposition.
The only alternative proposing to use filtered tailings instead of slurry tailings. Conveyors and mobile equipment would mechanically deposit potentially acid generating tailings and non-potentially acid generating tailings in two separate, adjacent tailings storage facilities.
This alternative allows for a comparison of the impacts of slurry tailings if placed in a flatter, alluvial setting instead of an upland wash or canyon.
The location for this alternative would enable use of cross-valley embankments/dams requiring less fill to retain tailings compared to a ring-like impoundment, simplifying construction and operations.
The Forest Service has completed the Scoping Report for the EIS that includes information on the overall scoping process and what concerns were presented by the various participants. The next step in the EIS process is alternatives development, which is required to investigate alternatives to various aspects of the Proposed Action.
The Forest Service is hosting workshops to solicit input on the relative importance of a variety of environmental and social criteria that they will use to evaluate alternative tailings facility locations. The Forest Service has scheduled in-person and online workshops.
