Mark V Mines. Inc. 



Mark V Mines, Inc., submitted an application to the DSL 

 and the U.S. Forest Service in September 1988 to mine gold in 

 the Williams Gulch drainage of Rock Creek. The proposed 

 underground mine, called the Bagdad Gold Project, is located 

 about 25 miles west of Philipsburg in the Lolo National 

 Forest (MSB, Inc. 1988). 



Mark V proposes to extract the ore using standard small- 

 scale underground methods. Milling-grade material would be 

 removed from the mine and stockpiled, to be transported 

 periodically to a custom mill in Philipsburg. Waste rock 

 would be used for underground backfilling. While there is 

 currently an access road within the Lolo National Forest, the 

 plan calls for a new access road primarily within the Deer 

 Lodge National Forest. This new road is proposed to avoid 

 potential sedimentation in Williams Gulch, reduce traffic on 

 Rock Creek Road, and reduce the effects of increased traffic 

 on private landowners along Rock Creek (MSE, Inc. 1988) . 



Approximately 90,000 tons of ore reserves have been 

 identified by exploratory drilling, and geologically 

 indicated reserves are estimated at one million tons. Mark V 

 hopes to begin production in early spring 1989, with a 

 minimum projected mine life of ten years. The optimum level 

 work force would be 25 to 30 people, producing 150 to 200 

 tons per day (MSE, Inc. 1988) . 



The maximum probable water discharge from the mine is 

 80-100 gpm. This mine water would be treated in several 

 steps prior to discharge to a drainage ditch next to the 

 access road. 



Because of the mine's proximity to the sensitive 

 resource values of Rock Creek and the potential for public 

 controversy surrounding the proposed Bagdad Project, the U.S. 

 Forest Service has decided to prepare an environmental impact 

 statement for the site, which is expected to be completed by 

 January 1989. DSL is proceeding with a PER. 



American Eagle Mining Company 



The American Eagle Mining Company has been operating a 

 placer gold mine in Quartz Gulch of Rock Creek since 1987. 

 This mine, located about 20 miles west of Philipsburg, 

 currently operates under the small miner's exclusion (less 

 than five acres' disturbance, fewer than 36,500 tons of 

 material per year). In January 1988, the company submitted 

 an application to DSL and the U.S. Forest Service to expand 

 its operation to 41 acres. The application was found to be 



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