Another mining company has its eye on the mineral wealth of the Patagonia Mountains.

The Coronado National Forest has recently sent out a scoping notice that indicates it is considering a new request by a multinational mining firm to conduct an exploratory operation 10 miles south of Patagonia.

“OZ Exploration Pty. Ltd, a Delaware corporation authorized to do business in the State of Arizona, proposes to drill seven core holes to test for copper mineralization in the Guajalote Flat and Paymaster areas of the Patagonia Mountains,” wrote Richard Ahern, minerals program manager for the Coronado National Forest, in a letter dated Aug. 18 that gives the public 30 days to respond. “If approved, the proposed action would be completed, including reclamation, in less than one year (about 35 weeks) from the date of approval.”

“This is not a mine. They are just poking around to see what is there,” Ahern told the Weekly Bulletin. He said the notice has not been posted in any newspapers. Instead, Ahern said he has sent out “around 1,000 e-mails.” He said so far response has been minimal.

Click here to read the full article