Crown Moves Closer To Opening Mine

Denver-based Crown Resources Corp. moved a step closer toward opening its Crown Jewel gold mine at Buckhorn Mountain in north central Washington with Wednesday’s release of a draft environmental impact statement.

The long-awaited report shows that the mine would have minimal impact on the surrounding area in Okanogan County, said Crown President Christopher Herald.

However, residents and environmental groups in the area contend that the mine would strain water resources and potentially damage the surrounding area.

If the permitting process goes as planned for the open-pit mine, the project should start producing some of the 1.7 million ounces of gold by 1997, Herald said.

The company predicts the draft EIS will be printed June 30, with a 60-day public comment period to follow.

Crown owns 46 percent of the Crown Jewel mine, with the remaining interest being controlled by Houston-based Battle Mountain Gold. The project will employ 150 workers.

, DataTimes