Strathmore progresses permitting process for Roca Honda uranium project in New Mexico

Strathmore Minerals (TSX-V:STM) is progressing the permitting process on its flagship Roca Honda uranium project in the Grants Mineral District in New Mexico, a project the company believes is one of the largest and highest grade proposed uranium mines in the US in the last 30 years.

The Roca Honda property is held by Strathmore, who owns 60%, and Sumitomo of Japan, who owns the remainder, under their jointly owned subsidiary, Roca Honda Resources.

Throughout 2010, Strathmore completed a number of achievements operationally, including the advancement of the ongoing permitting process for the property.

In October 2009, Strathmore announced that it submitted its mine permit application for the proposed development of the underground uranium mining project to the New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

Early in 2010, as part of the entire review process, Mangi Environmental Group was chosen as an independant consultant to conduct the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project. In August, this process formally began with a kick-off meeting between the state and federal agencies and Mangi. 

In September, Mangi developed a "Description of Proposed Action" and EIS project schedule to be used to initiate the public participation process, which will begin later in the fall, to fully inform the local citizens of RHR's plans.

Also last month, a draft phase I feasibility report, which identified data requirements and analyzed project planning issues, was completed and is currently under internal review. Phases II and III of the four-phase study are now underway. Phase II addresses revisions required to upgrade the NI 43-101 resource at the site, while Phase III examines the design and feasibility analysis of the Roca Honda mine.

Strathmore said that it expects the USFS, EIS, and state agency permit review to continue through early 2012, in accordance with the schedule provided by Mangi.

For 2011, permitting will focus on the continued development of site specific baseline characterization data, the generation of necessary mine and support facility engineering designs, and working with the state and federal agencies as they continue their review and conduct the environmental assessment leading to the preparation of the final EIS.

In addition, Strathmore recently resumed data gathering for the preparation of a future U.S., Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) permit application for construction and operation of a conventional uranium mill. During the last year, the company performed archaelogical studies of the site, conducted preliminary soils characterization investigations, completed a surface radiological background survey as well as air quality and meteorological investigations.

Next year, the company will advance its existing mill design to the 60% level and develop a tailings disposal design, it said.