Feds back out of deal for clay mine

RENO, Nev.-- A federal agency withdrew its approval Friday for a clay mine proposed by the world's largest manufacturer of cat litter, but said the company could submit a revised plan.

The Bureau of Land Management said the mine, planned for federal land north of Reno, is no longer feasible after Washoe County rejected a permit this week for an accompanying processing plant on neighboring private land.

Officials for Oil Dri Corp., based in Chicago, said they had already been planning to submit a new proposal. "No matter what happens, for us to go forward is going to require a modification of the environmental impact statement," company Vice President Bob Vetere said Friday.

Under the new plan, the company would mine clay in two open pits on about 300 acres of federal land, but would likely site the processing plant on federal land too. Another option is to ship the raw clay elsewhere for processing, company officials say.

"We're not sure which way we are going yet, but we are taking the clay," Vetere said.

Washoe County rejected the permit Tuesday despite Oil-Dri's claim that the county has no authority to block access to mineral rights on federal land under the General Mining Law of 1872.