Mar. 10, 2010
A Portland firm Oregon Resources Corp. finally has the go-ahead to build an ore processing plant in Coos County.
It took two decades and 14 permits before Oregon Resources Corp. got the OK to mine chromite, zircon, high-iron and garnet off Seven Devils Road between Charleston and Bandon.
Chief operating officer Dan Smith told The World newspaper that construction of the $45 million plant should be completed in late 2011 or early 2012.
The company plans to start hiring more than 50 plant operators later this year and contract with another 25 truck drivers and miners.
Oregon Resources discovered chromite mining potential in Coos County in 1990. Its ambitions have been slowed by permit delays, road agreements and local concern over environmental factors.
