America's Shift Towards Bringing Mining Home The United States and most other parts of the world heavily depend on China for critical raw mineral resources. As America ramps up efforts to meet renewable energy targets, demand for mineral resources should follow suit (see our last post on green energy and mining, here). In turn, America is looking to bring mineral supply closer to home. Below are a few news articles that introduce this complicated issue. The new U.S. plan [...]

What Green Energy Means For Mining As the world turns to green energy to combat climate change, humanity’s demand for mineral resources to fuel these sources is poised to increase dramatically. Green energy sources use far more mineral resources than fossil fuels, which means there will be more, not less, pressure on the American mining industry. Below are several recent articles regarding anticipated mineral needs to accommodate green energy and climate change goals, along with some key takeaways. 1. [...]

California Needs Its Minerals (CalCIMA 2019 Education Conference Roundtable). January 10th, 2016. The California Minerals Roundtable discussion at the 2019 CalCIMA Education Conference explored challenges and opportunities for ensuring continued mineral resources availability in the state. David Brown, president of Benchmark Resources, presented California Needs Its Minerals!, in which Mr. Brown reminded attendees of the critical need that minerals provide to California industries and their contribution to the lifestyle enjoyed by every Californian. His presentation provided an enlightening and [...]

Rise Gold Submits Permit Application to Reopen Idaho-Maryland Gold Mine. November 21, 2019. Benchmark Resources supported Rise Gold Corp. in its submittal of an application for a use permit to Nevada County to allow the reopening of the Idaho-Maryland Gold Mine.  The full article is available here.

Benchmark Resources' “Solutions for an Efficient Mine Closure Process” Published in The Conveyor. August 23, 2018. CalCIMA’s 2018 summer issue of The Conveyor includes our article on “Solutions for an Efficient Mine Closure Process.” A substantial amount of planning and investment is required to permit and develop a new mine. While those challenges are a frequent topic of industry discussion, closing a mine presents its own challenges, which rarely receive attention. Our article explains how good planning before and [...]

Benchmark Resources Now a Certified SLEB for Alameda County. May 23, 2018. We expanded our geographic presence with a new office in Oakland and are now certified as an Alameda County small, local and emerging business (SLEB). Our Oakland staff provides environmental planning and permitting expertise in land development and water resources. Please contact us to discuss how our SLEB certification and our services can help you meet your objectives.

Tulare County Approves Culver Sand Mine. January 10, 2018. Culver Sand Mine was unanimously approved by the Tulare County Planning Commission. This new mining operation will provide up to 75,000 tons of sand annually for concrete and other construction uses over a 50-year period. Benchmark Resources supported mine design and reclamation planning. For more information about the mine design or reclamation services Benchmark Resources offers, please contact David Brown at (916) 983-9193 or dbrown@benchmarkresources.com.  

Fresno County Unanimously Approves 50-Year Mining Permit Extension. November 9, 2016. Benchmark Resources led the preparation of an application package and reclamation plan to allow continued operation of the Hewitson Gravel Mine for an additional 50 years. The Fresno County Planning Commission unanimously approved the project. No opponents attended or appealed the matter. Benchmark Resources responded to comments from the California Division of Mine Reclamation and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife related to reclamation and biological resources. [...]

Austin Quarry Project: Draft EIR Release Scheduled. July 30, 2010. Vulcan Materials has proposed a quarry in southeastern Madera County named the Austin Quarry Project. Located near the intersection of State Routes 41 and 145, it is the second of three recent mining proposals in Madera County. The project is planned to provide 2.5 million tons annually for up to 100 years. Benchmark Resources is contracted by the County to prepare the Environmental Impact Report and expects the document [...]