Mission Mine Project
Mining Process
Our mining process uses conventional earth-moving equipment. The active mining area contains 6 cells at any one time affecting an area of approximately 30 acres. One cell has topsoil removed, one cell is in active excavation up to 20 feet, one cell will have the tailings returned, two cells are dedicated to settling organics to restore the spodic zone, and the sixth cell will have topsoil replaced and be ready for planting. From start to finish the active mining process in a cell takes six months and only disturbs the top 10 to 20 feet of the surface layer, significantly reducing any potential long-term ecosystem/habitat disruption. Within 12 months the cell will be replanted in pine.
Ore is hauled to a portable slurrying unit consisting of screening and pumping equipment. The ore is screened and pumped to the floating concentrator using recycled water from the tailings cells. The floating concentrator separates the zircon sands from quartz sand through a series of spirals, hydrosizers and hydroclones. No chemicals are used in this process. The processing water is recycled through the tailings cells. Removed topsoil is replaced in the reclamation cell where it is contoured and prepared for final tree planting.
Reclamation
In the reclamation cells, surveying and grading of tailings and topsoils returns the area back to pre-mining contours. This can be accomplished because only 3% to 4% of the material is removed. The short duration of topsoils under active reclamation areas allows seeds, roots, tubers, etc. to survive and reestablish the herbaceous ground cover. Tree planting is conducted during the winter strictly according to landowner and permit specifications. Monitoring is conducted according to both the permitting agency requirements and landowner lease specifications.
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