THE DRILLS ARE COMING
In 1872, the U.S. Government declared a mining law. Emily Markstein – cofounder of No Hot Creek Mine and the Friends of the Inyo No Hot Creek Mine Campaign Organizer – explained. “The law states that anybody with a mining claim has rights to the minerals underground, and you don’t have to pay any royalties on that,” she said.
Some are working to change the law. They haven’t yet succeeded.
As a result, Kore Mining announced an official “2023 exploration plan” for the “Long Valley gold and silver project,” per its press release from July 21. Colloquially known as the Hot Creek Mine.
Kore’s a Canadian company, and a letter from Andy Currier on page three explains more about who they are (quick summary: Canadian mining company whose largest investor is another company – “1130447 Bc Ltd” – owned by the Kore CEO’s wife).
Because of the mining law, “the Forest Service can’t say no [to Kore],” explained Markstein. “They’re kind of bound hand and foot by this law.”
Around a year and a half ago, the Forest Service approved a categorical exclusion for Kore’s exploratory drilling plan. Such a thing is “generally used for, like, if you want to build a small trail from Mammoth Rock to the meadow, you can get a categorical exclusion and it gives you the lowest possible environmental review,” said Markstein.
Markstein organized a protest. Then, she formed No Hot Creek Mine. They held more protests – a bike tour, a protest on the mountain. Winter came. Things wound down. Which has been, in the past, No Hot Creek Mine’s saving grace. “It snowed early October the past couple years, and the mining company didn’t come,” said Markstein. “But, it’s not going to snow in September.”
So, it’s happening. The drills are coming. “This is a legit concern that people need to be aware of,” said Markstein. “It’s not just a faraway thing.”
There’s a legal fight, too, in which Markstein and her organization did not partake. Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, and Western Watersheds Project took the Forest Service and Kore Mining to court last year, arguing that a more in-depth environmental review was needed for the project. They lost. Filed an appeal. On August 25, it’s back to the judges and benches. There won’t be a decision for three to six months. Kore’s coming.
“I think a lot of people in the community kind of feel hopeless,” said Markstein. “They’re like, ‘It’s already been approved. I can’t sign a petition. I can’t do this or that.’” The one thing you can do: call the Forest Service and let them know that you’re unhappy about the drilling.
