Gov. Jim Gibbons says the Bureau of Land Management will work with Coeur Rochester Inc. to speed up environmental studies that are necessary to reopen and expand the Coeur Rochester mine near Lovelock.
The expansion project is expected to create up to 200 new jobs and add up to $20 million to the company's payroll. The mine currently employs about 30 people and has a $4 million payroll.
Gibbons sent a letter to the BLM asking that the company be allowed to conduct an environmental assessment of the project, rather than complete an environmental impact statement - which takes much longer.
The BLM responded by saying it will work with CRI to prepare a draft environmental assessment.
Gibbons says the assessment is necessary because the state needs to quickly create jobs.