Jul 18 2019
Tombstone Exploration Corporation, a fully reporting company, stated that along with Goldrock Resources Inc., the Air Quality permit for its Harquahala Phase 1 joint venture heap leach project situated in La Paz County, Arizona has been submitted.
The Bonanza Mine property comprises the Harquahala and Golden Eagle mines, situated about eight miles south of Salome, Arizona. The project covers 2,656 acres and has substantial underground workings, from which about 180,000-200,000 oz. of gold were reportedly produced from high-grade ore in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Mined rock and tailings from earlier operations signify an extra potential resource.
The Bonanza Mining Company (Joint Venture Company) (Bonanza) acknowledged that their permitting engineers, CDM Smith, submitted the Air Quality permit on July 2nd and received a determination of completeness letter the very same day. The completeness determination effectively begins the clock for the air permit engineering review with prospects of completing the air permitting anticipated in November.
Bonanza also recognized that the company received the Corp of Engineers (USACE) 404 jurisdictional determination evaluation from CDM Smith. The determination recognized that the recovery of rock, material, and tailings together with construction and operational tasks of the heap leach operation do not come within the authority of the USACE and that there is no need to involve the USACE.
CDM Smith also made known that the two main drainages in the area may be jurisdictional but any repair or maintenance activity of any roads crossing these drainages can be finished under the Maintenance Exemption Summary (CWA Section 404(f)) and would not necessitate USACE involvement.
In addition to the environmental work at Harquahala, Bonanza with CDM Smith continues to aim at submittal of the Arizona Aquafer Protection Permit. A BLM Plan of Operations for materials found on BLM land has also commenced and two formerly drilled and intact water wells are also being studied as likely water sources for the project. These permits and well determinations should be finalized and submitted by the 3rd week of July.