El Capitan seems to be on the move...

[Catdaddy]

High Desert Reports
Environmental news for New Mexico
www.laurapaskus.com/2007/12/public-hearing-and-comment-for-nm.html

Friday, December 7, 2007
public hearing and comment for NM mineral exploration
Here's some news from the state:

Santa Fe – The State of New Mexico is soliciting comments on an application for a mining exploration project in Lincoln County north of Capitan, New Mexico. The application, which was submitted by El Capitan Precious Metals, Inc. of Reno, Nevada, proposes 112 drill holes on U.S. Forest Service and private land. El Capitan proposes to explore for gold, iron, copper and silver.

The Mining and Minerals Division (MMD) of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department will hold a public hearing on the proposed project in 2008. The public comment period has been extended through the public hearing process. Comments on the proposed project can be presented at the public hearing or submitted in writing to MMD at any time prior to the public hearing. A notice of the date, time and location of the public hearing will be published in a newspaper in the vicinity of the proposed exploration site at least thirty days prior to the hearing.

“Our goal is to ensure that mining exploration is conducted in a manner that will protect New Mexico’s environment, including public health and safety,” stated Division Director Bill Brancard.

Any exploration permits granted by the Mining and Minerals Division contain requirements to protect environmental and cultural resources and require reclamation of the areas impacted by the drilling including plugging all wells. The Mining and Minerals Division coordinates its review with other state environmental and natural resource agencies to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.

Since part of the project is on U.S. Forest Service Land, the Forest Service may be conducting separate public meetings in accordance with Forest Service regulations. Both agencies will work together to ensure the public has an opportunity for voicing any concerns they may have about the project.

The El Capitan Exploration Drilling Project is located northeast of Capitan largely on lands within the Lincoln National Forest. The 112 proposed drill holes would be in Sections 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16, Township 8 South, Range 14 East. The Mining and Minerals Division will be working with the U.S. Forest Service in reviewing the application.

Anyone interested in reviewing the applications or providing any comments about the applications may do so by mailing written comments to the Mining and Minerals Division, or contacting the Division at the following address:

The New Mexico Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department

Mining and Minerals Division

1220 South St. Francis Dr.

Santa Fe, NM 87505

Attention: Division Director

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Comments may also be sent via email to [e-mail]