March 6 (Reuters) - Australian miner South32 S32.AX said on Friday the U.S. Forest Service has issued a draft decision that would allow its Hermosa mine project in Arizona to expand from private land onto federal land.

The agency released a draft Record of Decision and a final Environmental Impact Statement for the project in the Patagonia Mountains, South32 said. Hermosa contains silver, zinc and manganese deposits.

If approved, the authorization would allow South32 to build infrastructure on land in the Coronado National Forest, including a primary access road and a secondary dry-stack tailings facility.

South32 said Hermosa is the only advanced mine development project in the United States capable of producing manganese and zinc, which are federally designated as critical minerals.

The project is also part of the FAST-41 federal permitting program, which streamlines reviews for projects considered to be of national interest.

The draft decision begins a 45-day objection period, followed by a 45-day review process before the Forest Service issues a final decision, the company said. A final Record of Decision is expected in July.

South32 said it had committed to nearly 140 additional conservation, mitigation and monitoring measures developed with federal agencies, Tribes and community stakeholders.

(Reporting by Dharna Bafna in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)

((Dharna.Bafna@thomsonreuters.com))