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By John Hernandez
It’s very nearly a done deal. Permitting should soon be approved by the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality for the Oracle Ridge Mine which sits above Oracle on the Pima side of the county line.
On Thursday, June 28, the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PCEQ) held a public hearing concerning the air quality installation and operating permit for Oracle Ridge Mining, LLC. The meeting was held at Coronado K-8 School in Catalina. Around 12 people including members of Oracle Ridge Mining and PCEQ were in the audience. The meeting was scheduled to last one hour beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The people in attendance were asked if they wanted to make a comment or ask questions. No one made a comment.
One lady in the audience asked a question about what type of chemicals and pollutants would be released into the air. It was explained that the crushing and milling processes would be done underground. There would be minimal if any pollution released to the surface air.
As no one else wished to speak, the meeting ended.
The Pima County officials and some representatives from Oracle Ridge Mining waited until 6:30 in case other people came in wishing to comment. No one came and the hearing was officially ended.
Members of the Department of Environmental Quality indicated that they did not anticipate any problems with Oracle Ridge Mining’s application and felt it would be approved. In all the public hearings they have held in Pima County, there have been no negative comments made.
All the comments will be analyzed and discussed and the questions from the public will be answered. They will then make their decision.
This is one step closer to the Oracle Ridge Mine opening. They estimate that the mine could employ about 200 people when they are in full production. The mine could open by late 2013.
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