Florence Copper granted state OK
ADEQ gives it a permit for 1- or 2-year testing phase
Florence Copper has received the final version of the state environmental permit it needs for a test run of its in-situ copper mine at 1575 W. Hunt Highway, the company announced on its website on Friday.
The state permit, called a “Temporary Aquifer Protection Permit,” only allows a one- or two-year testing phase of the Florence Copper Project, which the company calls its Production Test Facility or PTF. It requires more monitoring than earlier versions of the permit.
The company must also receive a federal permit from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before it can begin its PTF. The EPA held a local hearing many months ago, and Florence Copper’s supporters have been awaiting word ever since.
Russell Hallbauer, president and CEO of parent company Taseko Mines Ltd. of Vancouver, said in a statement Tuesday: “With the receipt of the permit from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality we expect that our last required permit will be forthcoming shortly and we can begin to move forward on the final stages of this safe, low-cost and environmentally-responsible method of copper production.
