Hermosa will produce two federally designated critical minerals - zinc and manganese
13th May 2024
By: Mariaan Webb
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online
The US Forest Service (USFS) has initiated the federal permitting process for the South32 Hermosa project, in Arizona.
Under the umbrella of the National Environmental Policy Act, the USFS has launched the scoping process, inviting public input and commentary on South32’s project plans. This process aims to identify the scope of environmental analysis and explore potential impacts as part of the environmental impact statement.
While all of Hermosa’s mining will be done from private lands and require several state permits to begin initial development, a federal permit is required to fully develop the project.
The scoping process is specifically focused on the scope of the environmental analysis, alternatives that meet the purpose and need of the project, and receiving information that will help the USFS understand and analyse environmental effects of the project’s proposed expansion of ancillary infrastructure onto Forest Service lands.
Hermosa stands out as the sole advanced mining project in the US capable of producing two federally designated critical minerals – zinc and manganese.
It is also the first mining project covered by the FAST-41 programme for critical infrastructure projects that benefit the nation, which enables open lines of communication and transparency between all stakeholders while ensuring a robust and rigorous review process.
“South32’s Hermosa project aims to set a new standard for sustainable mining, with advanced technology. Because we are building it from the ground up, it is being designed to minimise environmental impact, including operating on a limited surface footprint, using approximately 75% less water than other mines in the region and achieving the goal of no-net loss for biodiversity,” said Hermosa project director of permitting and approvals Brent Musslewhite.
“Hermosa represents the largest private investment in Southern Arizona’s history, and our goal is to design a project that benefits the region now and for generations to come. That’s why we encourage community members to participate in the Forest Service’s public comment process,” he said.
Federal authorisation is expected to take over two more years and will include multiple rounds of public feedback and discussion.
GREEN WASHING
Guest Opinion: A new standard for sustainable mining
By Pat Risner
May 13, 2024
South32’s work on the Hermosa Project has enjoyed a banner year, and we are just getting started. As we go through a key permitting milestone for the project, I want to make sure that everyone has the awareness and opportunity to make their voices heard.
Most notably, we recently announced a $2.16 billion investment to develop the project’s zinc deposit. As the largest investment in Southern Arizona’s history, this will help grow Santa Cruz County’s economy.
And our Hermosa Workforce Development Taskforce is identifying the skills needed and local facilities available to help train and develop the region’s workforce. Those efforts will help us fill the 200 full-time jobs at Centro, our future remote operations center in Nogales.
Centro represents a portion of the nearly 900 direct jobs that will be created in Santa Cruz County by Hermosa.
Now, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has begun the federal permitting process, known as the “NEPA process.” It offers community members the opportunity to participate in meetings and/or submit comments on the topics the USFS should analyze as a part of Hermosa’s Environmental Impact Statement.
Federal authorization includes multiple opportunities to share feedback, in addition to this first comment period. We encourage all community members to participate and ensure your voice is heard by submitting written comments to the Forest Service.
We’re looking forward to discussing how Hermosa aims to set a new standard for sustainable mining, with advanced technology that makes it more protective of the environment than older mines.
Central to our focus on sustainability is our approach to water.
Water is a precious resource here, and that’s why we aim to be one of the most efficient mines when it comes to water. Because we’re designing Hermosa from the ground up, we can work closely with the community to ensure needs and concerns are reflected in our water management plans and utilize advanced technology and monitoring systems to deliver on our commitments.
In fact, we listened to the community and identified alternate ways to keep water in the Patagonia Mountains through the proposed use of Rapid Infiltration Basins.
In addition, thanks to our underground mine design and dry-stack tailings facilities, Hermosa will use 75 percent less water than other mines in the region
But our sustainability commitment extends beyond just water.
We know the area where we operate is a unique place for biodiversity, and that’s something that we want to preserve and enhance as we develop and operate the project.
Wildlife and biodiversity monitoring has been ongoing at Hermosa since 2012, and we regularly conduct surveys for plants and aquatic species including those that are threatened and endangered.
With this ongoing collection of data, we manage biodiversity by evaluating potential impacts to local species and identify controls and best management practices to avoid, minimize, rehabilitate, and offset those impacts and work to achieve Hermosa’s goal of preventing long-term biodiversity loss.
Our robust monitoring program allows us to make informed decisions on activities that might occur near sensitive biological resources and take action to avoid and minimize impacts.
Our goal is to design a project that benefits the region now and for generations to come. That’s why it’s critical that community members participate in the USFS’s public comment process.
To submit a comment to the Forest Service, visit https://tinyurl.com/2m6phuee.
(Risner is president of South32’s Hermosa Project, located in the Patagonia Mountains.)
By Pat Risner
May 13, 2024
South32’s work on the Hermosa Project has enjoyed a banner year, and we are just getting started. As we go through a key permitting milestone for the project, I want to make sure that everyone has the awareness and opportunity to make their voices heard.
Most notably, we recently announced a $2.16 billion investment to develop the project’s zinc deposit. As the largest investment in Southern Arizona’s history, this will help grow Santa Cruz County’s economy.
And our Hermosa Workforce Development Taskforce is identifying the skills needed and local facilities available to help train and develop the region’s workforce. Those efforts will help us fill the 200 full-time jobs at Centro, our future remote operations center in Nogales.
Centro represents a portion of the nearly 900 direct jobs that will be created in Santa Cruz County by Hermosa.
Now, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has begun the federal permitting process, known as the “NEPA process.” It offers community members the opportunity to participate in meetings and/or submit comments on the topics the USFS should analyze as a part of Hermosa’s Environmental Impact Statement.
Federal authorization includes multiple opportunities to share feedback, in addition to this first comment period. We encourage all community members to participate and ensure your voice is heard by submitting written comments to the Forest Service.
We’re looking forward to discussing how Hermosa aims to set a new standard for sustainable mining, with advanced technology that makes it more protective of the environment than older mines.
Central to our focus on sustainability is our approach to water.
Water is a precious resource here, and that’s why we aim to be one of the most efficient mines when it comes to water. Because we’re designing Hermosa from the ground up, we can work closely with the community to ensure needs and concerns are reflected in our water management plans and utilize advanced technology and monitoring systems to deliver on our commitments.
In fact, we listened to the community and identified alternate ways to keep water in the Patagonia Mountains through the proposed use of Rapid Infiltration Basins.
In addition, thanks to our underground mine design and dry-stack tailings facilities, Hermosa will use 75 percent less water than other mines in the region
But our sustainability commitment extends beyond just water.
We know the area where we operate is a unique place for biodiversity, and that’s something that we want to preserve and enhance as we develop and operate the project.
Wildlife and biodiversity monitoring has been ongoing at Hermosa since 2012, and we regularly conduct surveys for plants and aquatic species including those that are threatened and endangered.
With this ongoing collection of data, we manage biodiversity by evaluating potential impacts to local species and identify controls and best management practices to avoid, minimize, rehabilitate, and offset those impacts and work to achieve Hermosa’s goal of preventing long-term biodiversity loss.
Our robust monitoring program allows us to make informed decisions on activities that might occur near sensitive biological resources and take action to avoid and minimize impacts.
Our goal is to design a project that benefits the region now and for generations to come. That’s why it’s critical that community members participate in the USFS’s public comment process.
To submit a comment to the Forest Service, visit https://tinyurl.com/2m6phuee.
(Risner is president of South32’s Hermosa Project, located in the Patagonia Mountains.)
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