Water Quality Permit For BHP Copper Pinto Valley Mine

ADEQ Director Steve Owens announced that ADEQ has issued a water quality permit for the BHP Copper Pinto Valley Operations open pit mine in Miami in Gila County.

The permit, is technically an amendment to BHP's existing aquifer protection permit (APP) for the mine, provides for resumption of open pit mining at Pinto Valley with development of Slice 6 of the pit. BHP estimates that Slice 6 contains 700 million pounds of copper & would be a 5 ½ year project with potential economic impact to the local economy of $165 million.

"This is a strong water quality permit that will protect groundwater in the area, while enabling BHP Copper to continue moving forward toward re-opening the mine as planned," Director Owens said. "Issuance of this permit is another step toward creating much-needed jobs in Gila County while also safeguarding precious water resources."

The permit protects groundwater in the area by regulating discharges from the operations at the mine, including the open pit & new Slice 6, waste rock disposal areas, a raffinate pond, 1 heap leach pad, 2 pregnant leach solution ponds, a new spillway between the ponds, 2 active tailings impoundments, & a stormwater management system that's designed to protect facilities regulated by the permit & prevent off-site discharges. Pinto Valley Operations includes a solvent extraction/electrowinning process plant & other infrastructure & support facilities associated with copper mining.

The permit sets discharge limits & groundwater quality standards & reduces the discharge of pollutants by requiring BHP Copper to employ appropriate engineering controls & processes at facilities regulated by the permit. The permit also requires BHP Copper to sample seeps & springs located on-site, & to conduct quarterly groundwater monitoring to ensure that water quality has not been affected by operations at the mine.

Owens added his office has worked hard to expedite permits in rural areas, to help support economic growth, while protecting air & water quality. The permit was processed under a new expedited permitting program for water quality permits established by ADEQ in 2006.

Last week, Owens announced that ADEQ also has issued the air quality permit for the BHP Copper Pinto Valley mine.