Huge New Mining Proposal Threatens the Peloncillos
The most pressing threat on our radar right now is an application being filed with New Mexico’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) for copper, gold, and silver exploration south of Steins Pass in the Peloncillo Mountains. Link to a map of the project here. As you can see this is a much larger footprint than the recent Antelope Pass proposal. The Peloncillos are seeing a dramatic increase in new mining claims. It’s an area our community has long valued for its archaeological sites, dark skies, endangered plants and as an essential north-south wildlife corridor. Steins Pass is ranked #4 by the state of New Mexico for a critically needed Wildlife Crossing over Interstate 10. Read an article addressing the need here
The landscape of the Peloncillo mountain range is essentially undeveloped and an open pit mine would alter it forever.
An exploration permit is often the first step toward much larger mining operations, and we’re watching this closely. Read a letter from the mining company and scoping comments by EMNRD here
