Aprl 6th, 2010
Supporters and opponents of chromite mining on county forestlands have spent the last several weeks rallying the public. Both sides will converge at Tuesday's Coos County Commission meeting to make themselves heard to the board.
But don't expect a decision. There is nothing on the agenda about mining agreements or test drilling on county land.
After commissioners Nikki Whitty and Kevin Stufflebean struck down a proposal at the last meeting to test drill for gold deposits at the cost of $80,000, Commissioner Bob Main sent out an e-mail, asking everyone in favor of due diligence to attend the next meeting.
"We need to get the word out about the possible rip off of county minerals," Main wrote. "Hundreds of people need to show up at the next commissioners meeting and voice their opinion about testing for precious metals in the county forest."
That won't be the only crowd, though.
Members of the South Coast Development Council and Bay Area Chamber of Commerce also will be at the courthouse, some wearing pins that say, "Yes to ORC."
Oregon Resources Corp. has been in negotiations for four years to mine chromite, zircon and garnet on county-owned forestlands. But now Main has said he wants the county to test for gold before signing any agreements.
The Portland-based mining firm is building a processing plant on 15 acres at Bunker Hill and has already signed agreements with Weyerhaeuser Co. and Kimberly Clark Corp. to begin mining early next year.
"They've done everything that has been required and asked of them," said Sandra Messerle, SCDC executive director. "I think it's unfortunate that there is a small group of folks that is going to oppose this at every level. It's time to let this project move forward."
Supporters and opponents of chromite mining on county forestlands have spent the last several weeks rallying the public. Both sides will converge at Tuesday's Coos County Commission meeting to make themselves heard to the board.
But don't expect a decision. There is nothing on the agenda about mining agreements or test drilling on county land.
After commissioners Nikki Whitty and Kevin Stufflebean struck down a proposal at the last meeting to test drill for gold deposits at the cost of $80,000, Commissioner Bob Main sent out an e-mail, asking everyone in favor of due diligence to attend the next meeting.
"We need to get the word out about the possible rip off of county minerals," Main wrote. "Hundreds of people need to show up at the next commissioners meeting and voice their opinion about testing for precious metals in the county forest."
That won't be the only crowd, though.
Members of the South Coast Development Council and Bay Area Chamber of Commerce also will be at the courthouse, some wearing pins that say, "Yes to ORC."
Oregon Resources Corp. has been in negotiations for four years to mine chromite, zircon and garnet on county-owned forestlands. But now Main has said he wants the county to test for gold before signing any agreements.
The Portland-based mining firm is building a processing plant on 15 acres at Bunker Hill and has already signed agreements with Weyerhaeuser Co. and Kimberly Clark Corp. to begin mining early next year.
"They've done everything that has been required and asked of them," said Sandra Messerle, SCDC executive director. "I think it's unfortunate that there is a small group of folks that is going to oppose this at every level. It's time to let this project move forward."
