Crown Jewel Mine Permits Approved

The Washington Department of Ecology has approved several permits for Battle Mountain Gold Co.’s Crown Jewel gold mine at Chesaw, Wash., between Republic and Tonasket.

Houston-based Battle Mountain Gold and Crown Resources Corp. of Denver are developing the joint-venture project, which would produce 3,000 tons of ore a day for eight years.

The Ecology Department approved five dam safety construction permits and two construction stormwater permits. The department also released a draft permit addressing air quality during construction and mine operation.

Earlier this year, opponents of the proposed mine challenged the final environmental impact statement and studies done by federal land management agencies.

A 30-day comment period on the Ecology Department’s draft permit on air quality starts Sept. 25. A public hearing is scheduled in Oroville on at 7 p.m. Oct. 15. , DataTimes