Amador County – Sutter Gold Mining Company moved closer to production with the issuance of two state permits for waste disposal, though the company may still be a couple of years away from full production, if an economic assessment finds it feasible.

Sutter Gold Mining on its website announced it “recently received approval from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board of construction-level design documents for two permitted mine waste disposal units.”

The permits are for a “waste rock pile,” and a “surface fill unit” at the Sutter Gold Mine, known to the company as the “Lincoln Mine Project,” in Amador County.

David Cochrane, vice President for environment, health and safety for Sutter Gold Mining, said permitting work lies ahead, including through the Amador County Air District, the state and the federal government.

Cochran said “our goal is to complete our economic assessment in the fourth quarter of this year,” then its board of directors would decide whether to go into production. After that, they must get funding through a method not yet finalized, possibly through investment, equity, or debt.

After funding is secured, he expects a 12- to 18-month process to get to the point of beginning production.

Cochrane said they must build a mill and surface unit, and some things they need are “long lead items” not sitting around, which when ordered a company “might have to fabricate it especially for us.”

He said it “gives us plenty of time to order things, build things,” and check the facility to see that everything is working correctly. 

He said they hope to have most of the permitting wrapped up by next summer, and “we already have most of our major permits in place.”

Some still needed are minor permits that must be based on a final design. The company must submit plans to the county for a building permit. Right now they have only conceptual designs.

The company must get county permits for grading, air, storm water prevention, and the authority to construct from the Amador Air District.

Cochrane said he is “basically responsible for environmental permitting and also health and safety programs.” He identifies and obtains all necessary approvals and permits.

Air emissions will be looked at for the two recent approvals for waste disposal. The company must look at dust emissions, and what to do to control impacts.

There are permits for processing ore specific to stationary equipment that “does not go places under its own power,” while the state regulates mobile equipment, such as bulldozers.

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