Grant County hears Gila National Forest survey briefing as residents warn of water, cultural impacts
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Summary
The Gila National Forest district ranger briefed Grant County commissioners on a draft geophysical survey by Ivanhoe Electric that would place 72 hand-dug pits across about 21,000 acres for electromagnetic mineral mapping; public speakers urged thorough NEPA review and raised water, cultural and safety concerns. No county action was taken.
SILVER CITY, N.M. — Grant County commissioners on Feb. 12 heard a briefing from Gila National Forest District Ranger Elizabeth Toney on a draft plan of operations filed by Ivanhoe Electric Pinos Altos LLC for a geophysical survey that would probe subsurface mineralogy across a tentative 21,000‑acre footprint.
Toney told the board the draft plan covers a geophysical survey only and "involves digging 72 2.5‑foot by 2.5‑foot pits, putting a probe inside those pits ... pulsing electromagnetic pulsing down into the earth" to map minerals such as copper. She said the pulsing would occur in groups of six pits for roughly 15 minutes each and that crews would reclaim pits after each use.
The presentation stressed that the plan of operations has not been approved and that the Forest Service is conducting cultural‑resource surveys, biological and rare‑plant assessments, and watershed reviews before any NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) proposed action is published. Toney said public input will be solicited in the NEPA process and that she has invited the Bureau of Land Management and state mining authorities to address claims and permitting questions.
Members of the public — including ranchers, monastery representatives and local residents — delivered an extended public‑comment period, pressing the board to investigate mining claims they say were filed in 2024 and to weigh potential effects on water supplies and cultural sites. Brett Myrick, who described himself as a Grant County resident and Navy veteran, said "water is my key issue" and opposed additional large‑scale mining unless water impacts can be assuredly avoided.
Other commenters cited counts of roughly 630–635 claims filed in late 2024 and urged county staff to compile records, legal paths and technical briefings for the community. Several speakers asked the county to coordinate with the Forest Service, BLM and state mineral regulators and requested clear handouts and public‑notice plans before any ground‑disturbing activity.
Commissioners asked Toney for details about acreage, whether pits would cross Highway 15 and who would monitor pits at night; Toney said Ivanhoe indicated staff would monitor pits while pulsing occurs and reiterated that any subsequent drilling or larger operations would trigger a separate NEPA process and additional approvals.
No formal county motion or regulatory action was taken during the meeting. Commissioners said they would consult county legal counsel and suggested further review before pursuing a county resolution or other measures. The Forest Service plans to notify interested parties when the project reaches a NEPA proposed‑action stage.
