Australian MMG Limited (HKG:1208), which has plans to develop a mine at Hall Mountain, Idaho, is disputing reports that claim it is planning to mine rare earth elements and thorium in the northern part of the state, near the Canadian border.
According to the company, the U.S. Forest Service granted MMG permission last week to conduct exploratory drilling at eight locations, which will be focused solely on zinc. The work is expected to start in July.
“MMG is not searching for rare earth elements or thorium. Further, our exploration program is preliminary in nature and consists of only three initial drill holes using a single drill rig,” Sally Cox, general manager of stakeholder relations at MMG, was quoted as saying by Bonner County Daily Bee.
Opponents to the mine’s possible development, add the article, are however convinced the search for zinc is cover for assessing rare earth element deposits.
Based on data compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey, there is an estimated 104,300 metric tons of thorium and rare earth element-rich veins in Hall Mountain.
Opponents to the project are convinced the search for zinc is cover for assessing rare earth element deposits, close to the Canadian border.
The Idaho Conservation League tried to stop the exploratory drilling out of concern it would displace threatened grizzly bears.
Thorium is a radioactive element and mining it may introduce radionuclides and other contaminants into the environment at an unnaturally high rate, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“Besides the radioactive materials that you end up with, you’ve got a huge amount of nasty toxics like cadmium. It makes arsenic look like candy,” resident Ronald McLaughlin told CDAPress.com. “It’s ugly stuff.”
Melbourne-based MMG’s exploratory work includes soil and rock sampling, stream sediment sampling and geophysical surveying, according to a Forest Service scoping notice.
If the company’s finds mineralization of value, it would be required to submit another proposed plan of operations to conduct further exploration or develop the mine.
3 Comments
Mike Failla
Let the protests begin from the luddites! Maybe an ocelot will show up also!
Louis C
Zinc exploration a cover for REE and thorium? Firstly, this company is obviously very keen on finding a new zinc deposit as its zinc mine in Queensland is nearing its end. Second, how do these people think mining companies operate? Seeking investments, sponsoring research, developing in-house knowledge and techniques, attending conferences and training relating to certain commodities but secretely and covertly actually searching for another commodity? Please!!
bobby44
Louis:
These folks do not know or care how companies operate. That is the way they do things so they think others operate the same way.