Company gets approval to resume mining at Comstock Lode

CARSON CITY -- Officials for a company that wants to resume mining gold and silver at the site of the historic Comstock Lode in Virginia City has won approval of a necessary permit from state environmental regulators.

Comstock Mining Inc. President Corrado De Gasperis said the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection approved the mercury permit that shows the company has the proper safety procedures in place to deal with the naturally occurring metal found in rocks in the region. Comstock Mining hopes to start operations before the end of the year.

The open pit project has drawn opposition from residents in Virginia City, Gold Hill and Silver City.