Orla Mining representatives told the Elko County Commission they expect the Bureau of Land Management to publish their Notice of Intent to begin NEPA scoping within days and asked the commission to update a prior letter of support for the company’s proposed South Railroad surface mine. "Our notice of intent package is in Washington, D.C.," said Don Dwyer, general manager for the South Railroad project, describing the remaining federal steps and a projected schedule that could lead to a record of decision and breaking ground in 2026.

The company, purchased from Gold Standard Ventures, described the project as an 8‑year permitted mine life in early studies and said it expects to bring about 300 permanent jobs and additional construction jobs, and earlier estimates placed capital costs near $200 million. Jamie Donovan, Orla’s community relations manager, said the company has been buying water rights and is developing sage‑grouse and wildlife mitigation strategies in coordination with the BLM and cooperating agencies.

Why it matters: The project would be sited in Elko County and, if permitted and built, could affect local employment, water rights and habitat mitigation obligations. Orla said it has secured some water rights already and is pursuing additional rights and mitigation offsets for greater sage‑grouse.

Commission discussion and county response: Commissioners asked about local hiring, traffic mitigation and water rights. Dwyer and Donovan told the board they plan to use buses for shift transport, coordinate shift changes to avoid school bus times and pursue mitigation credit strategies for sage‑grouse. Commissioner Delmo called the permitting process “rigorous” and emphasized local economic benefits, including sales tax from in‑county purchases.

Formal action: A motion to update Elko County’s letter of support for Orla’s South Railroad project was made and seconded; the commission voted in favor and the chair announced the motion carried. The board directed staff to provide the updated letter to Orla Mining.

Next steps and public engagement: Orla said public scoping meetings are tentatively scheduled for mid‑August, after publication of the Notice of Intent, and that they would send meeting details and the BLM ePlanning link to county officials when dates are set. The company also requested that an updated letter be addressed to Jared Bybee, the BLM Ely District Manager.

Ending: The county voted to prepare the updated support letter and commissioners said they expect to be invited to the public scoping meetings; Orla said it will circulate dates and the BLM ePlanning link once the NOI is published.