The Glenwood Springs Citizens’ Alliance has obtained the Plan of Operation that RMR submitted to the BLM for completeness review. Concern continues to grow as details of RMR’s plan for their Glenwood Springs mine emerge. Sadly, the plan is even more impactful than RMR has previously discussed.
RMR is proposing to expand from 15.7 acres to 440 acres with 320 of those acres being“disturbed.” Their top down mining method will visually impact the hillsides above Glenwood Springs almost immediately. RMR will start stripping at an elevation of 8,400 ft. and eventually work their way down to the existing pit at 6,300 ft. Because the blasting and excavating will start from the top, it will have immediate visual impacts to the community.
RMR intends on operating the mine round-the-clock, 24/7, with operations lasting a minimum of 20 years. Crushing and trucking is proposed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Blasting will occur between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The crushed material will be transported to the lower quarry and processing/crushing facility via an elevated tube conveyor running down the mountain face. From there, trucks will take the product down Transfer Trail, Traver Trail and across the river on Devereux Road to be dumped into waiting railcars along the Colorado River.
Their haul route impacts recreational access to the Flat Tops, residential access to Oasis Creek and goes by several tourism destinations.
RMR proposes to mine FIVE Million tons of product per year from the site. To accomplish their goal, they must average an extraction rate of 38,000 lbs/minute during their 12 hours of production per day. A 100-ton railcar would be filled every five minutes and 15 seconds.
RMR’s proposal notes 400 to 500 trips each day on Transfer Trail, with 80-90% being haul trucks. This results in 320 to 450 semis per day traveling through town. If they intend on using standard semi loading practices, RMR may need even more trucks than disclosed.
This proposal has real consequences for our community, our economy and our environment. Your voice and support are appreciated! When the public comment period occurs, we encourage each and every one of you to let the BLM know your concerns.
RMR will also need County and State permits for the mine, and GSCA will continue to monitor those proceedings (which have yet to begin) and keep you informed.