Vale, OR. — The Bureau of Land Management has approved the Grassy Mountain gold and silver mine on 469 acres of public land near Vale in Malheur County, advancing a project expected to boost mineral production and local economic activity.
The mine was designated as a FAST-41 project under the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, a process intended to increase transparency and streamline federal permitting for major infrastructure developments.
According to BLM, the operation is expected to produce an average of 47,000 ounces of gold and 55,000 ounces of silver each year. Officials estimate the project will create about 200 local jobs, generate roughly $140 million in economic activity, and bring in approximately $9 million annually in new tax revenue.
“Responsible mineral development is a key part of BLM’s efforts to unleash America’s affordable and reliable natural resources while ensuring natural, cultural, and historic resources are maintained for present and future use,” said Acting Vale District Manager Cassandra Andrews-Fleckenstein.
Paramount Gold Nevada may develop an underground mine along with a dedicated mill, storage facilities, and upgraded road access. Construction and processing are expected to last about 10 years, followed by four years of reclamation and 20 years of monitoring.
BLM said Grassy Mountain is the first project analyzed through the Department of the Interior’s modernized National Environmental Policy Act review process established under Executive Order 14154, Unleashing American Energy. State permitting is being coordinated by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries.
Additional project documents, including the environmental impact statement and FAQs, are available through the BLM National NEPA Register. For more information, BLM can be contacted at lm_or_vl_grassymtn@blm.gov.
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