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NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-AZ-C010-2021-0029-EA
Project Name: Phase 3 Sandy Valley Exploration Project

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Project Information

NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-AZ-C010-2021-0029-EA
Project Name

Phase 3 Sandy Valley Exploration Project
Project Type

EA
NEPA Status

Completed - Completed
Lead Office

Kingman Field Office
Last Updated

Project Description

Big Sandy Inc. (Big Sandy; the Applicant) has submitted an Exploration Plan to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado River District, Kingman Field Office (KFO). to conduct a third phase of lithium exploration drilling activities near Wikieup, Arizona. The Project site is approximately 613 acres and is located on public lands administered by the BLM KFO. The site is located within portions of Townships 16 and 15 North, Ranges 12 and 13 West, Sections 18, 25, and 36. The Applicant previously conducted two phases of prospecting core hole exploration for lithium resources within the Project site in 2019. Phase 1 of the Project consisted of drilling 16 proposed holes encompassing approximately 1.57 acres. Twelve of these proposed drill holes were accessed, drilled, and reclaimed (0.795 acres of reclaimed disturbance). Phase 2 of the Project consisted of drilling 37 holes, all of which were accessed, drilled, and reclaimed (4.978 acres of reclaimed disturbance).

These two successful exploration phases (AZA-037487) helped to better define the areas where lithium resources exist. The Exploration Plan submitted to the BLM provides for a more detailed plan to better define the extent of the lithium resources. The new Project area proposed for exploration would be the third phase of exploration activities conducted by the Applicant and would consist of two focused exploration areas. The Exploration Plan (Appendix D) provides for further detailed exploration focused on a concentrated array drilling pattern while aiming to reduce impacts to known sensitive resources. Drilling activities are proposed for up to 131 drill pad sites over approximately 18 months. The Project is designed to test the quantity and quality of lithium deposits within the concentrated area.

New surface disturbance within the Project area would be minimal for the access roads, individual exploration sites, and ancillary support sites (two staging areas and water storage site). Access disturbance would be for the multiple-pass ingress and egress of the exploration equipment and support equipment. In total, the Project would disturb approximately 21 acres of land.

What's New

The Bureau of Land Management, Kingman Field Office has issued a decision record and finding of no significant impacts for this exploration project.

Comments were accepted on the Big Sandy Inc., Sandy Valley Exploration Project (Phase 3) Environmental Assessment (EA), DOI-BLM-AZ-C010-2021-0029-EA, originally for a 30-day period beginning April 12, 2021. Based on requests received during this period the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Colorado River District, Kingman Field Office extended the original comment period twice for a total of approximately 90-days and accepted comments from April 12, 2021, through July 10, 2021; although comments received in a timely manner after this date were also considered.

BLM received 815 individual comments during the public comment period. All the comments received were compiled and responses to substantive comments were addressed in Appendix E of the Final EA (see "Documents" on left navigation pane). Section 1.6 of the Final EA includes an overview of the public involvement efforts and modifications made to the Proposed Action based on input received. Additional coordination and consultation with the Hualapai Tribe occurred after the comment period resulting in changes to the Proposed Action and the acceptance of the Tribe as a Cooperating Agency in preparation of the Final EA. Additional information was added to the EA based on the input received from the Tribe.

Thank you for your continued interest in this project and in public lands managed by the Kingman Field Office.

Project Location

City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
Lake Havasu City	Arizona	86406	Mohave County

Application Information

Applicant

Big Sandy Inc.
Case File Number

AZA-37913
Program

Mining

Project Dates

Start Date

3/12/2021
FONSI Date

6/5/2024

Project Office Information

Lead Office

Kingman Field Office
Offices

Kingman FO

Contacts

Contact 1 Name

Angelica Rose
Contact 1 Email

[email protected]
Contact 1 Phone

(928) 505-1200

Contact 2 Name

Paul Misiaszek
Contact 2 Email

[email protected]
Contact 2 Phone

(928) 718-3700