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Planning commission approves one-year special use permit for underground Pumpkin Hollow operations
Summary
The Yerington Planning Commission unanimously approved a one-year Special Use Permit for Southwest Critical Materials LLC to operate underground at Pumpkin Hollow (APN 001-662-01), imposing 16 conditions including quarterly coordination with emergency responders, an approved traffic plan and annual reporting.
The Yerington Planning Commission voted unanimously Feb. 25 to recommend approval of a one-year Special Use Permit (APN 001-662-01) allowing Southwest Critical Materials LLC to restart underground operations at the Pumpkin Hollow site.
Tracey Thom, representing Southwest Critical Materials, told commissioners the company acquired Pumpkin Hollow after Nevada Copper filed for bankruptcy and has assembled a project management team and funding to resume operations. "Currently 3 employees on site," Thom said, and later added the company expects "180 more employees in the next 8 months." Regarding daily operations she estimated, "When it’s up and running it will be 4–6 trucks a day," adding "2–3 trucks doing 2–3 trips a day," and said the company is considering shuttle buses to limit commuter traffic.
Interim City Manager Jerry Bryant told the commission the permit before them covers the underground operations only and that any other surface or ancillary projects would require separate permits. Bryant said any approval is for a one-year term and may be extended annually or revoked for noncompliance. He read staff’s recommended conditions—16 items that the commission adopted as part of the recommendation—calling for quarterly coordination with the city and the Mason Valley Fire Protection District, an annual status report to the boards, an approved traffic plan that identifies approved access routes and mitigation measures, a road maintenance and mitigation agreement, annual updates to the emergency response plan and distribution of that plan to Yerington Police, Mason Valley Fire and Lyon County emergency staff, compliance with applicable building and safety codes, and retention of all applicable federal, state, county and city permits.
Commissioners asked for specifics on truck routing, air quality controls and staffing. Bryant confirmed the approved truck routing would travel via Purcell to State Route 208 and then north to USA Parkway. Commissioner Elmer Bull asked about dust and air quality precautions; Thom said the company is "looking to pave" and use dust-control products. Commissioner Keith Trout raised concerns about commute and housing impacts if staffing grows; Thom said the company is evaluating employee housing options and supports public land access for recreation, stating "Please come to us anytime with questions." Commissioner Lacey Parrott said the company has been cooperative on emergency planning.
The commission’s approval was recorded in the transcript as passing "unanimously." The SUP is subject to annual review and includes language allowing the city to require mitigation measures or pursue revocation for failure to comply or if the permit is unused for a year.
Next steps: The Planning Commission’s recommendation moves to the Yerington City Council for final action (the transcript does not record a City Council decision).
