Board approves AngloGold exploratory borehole on Nye County land near Beatty

The Nye County Board of Commissioners approved a request from AngloGold Ashanti to install a reconnaissance borehole on Nye County property south of the Beatty airport runway as the first step in a proposed partnership with Beatty Water & Sanitation.

Steve Yopts, AngloGold’s vice president for permitting, community and government affairs, told the board the company would fund the hole and any associated work. He said AngloGold has invested in the Beatty mining district and is interested in determining whether the south end of the runway area could yield productive groundwater: “the first phase is to determine whether the geology at the south end of the runway is conducive to a long term highly productive, well field.” Yopts said the planned drilling would support potential beneficial use of Beatty Water and Sanitation’s Amargosa Desert water rights, and that the firm had coordinated with Beatty Water and Sanitation District leadership and the Nye County Water District.

Commissioners asked about ownership and future use; Yopts replied the company will pay for drilling and development work, and that any longer-term arrangement (including ownership and beneficial use) would be subject to separate agreements. Sheriff and community questions about impacts, airport operations and local jobs were raised; county staff said the request is limited to a reconnaissance borehole and that any downstream agreements or infrastructure would be presented to the board later.

The board approved the request; the recorded vote passed unanimously. County staff will monitor permits, airport-safety coordination and any subsequent agreements between the company and Beatty entities.

Votes at a glance: Board approved AngloGold Ashanti to install a reconnaissance borehole on Nye County land (south of Beatty runway); vote recorded as 5–0.