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Hudbay Minerals updates Yerington council on Mason Project, says mining water will come from existing rights
Summary
Hudbay Minerals presented a progress update on its Mason copper project, saying diamond drilling is nearly complete and that water for mining will come from existing water rights as the company investigates additional water assets. Council members and residents pressed about housing and water transparency.
Hudbay Minerals gave a status update on the Mason Project to the Yerington City Council during the July 27 meeting, describing the site as “one of the largest undeveloped copper resources in the Americas.” Chantae Lessard, the project lead, told the council the team has added five employees and that diamond drilling at the site is nearly finished.
Lessard said the project is a modern, greenfield mine located in the historic Yerington mining district and stressed the company’s intention to follow contemporary permitting and design guidelines. “We understand that the Smith Valley Basin is overallocated. Water used for mining purposes will be from existing water rights,” Lessard said, and added the company is investigating other water assets for future use.
Council members asked operational questions: Councilman Nick Beaton asked about current land ownership, and Lessard replied that the project footprint will remain on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. Councilman Omar Lopez raised concerns about local housing capacity for any new workforce and Lessard said Hudbay is willing to coordinate with other mines and local partners to address housing shortages.
Several members of the public spoke after the presentation. Melania Young representing the Chamber of Commerce expressed support for Hudbay’s outreach; other residents asked for more visual project materials and raised environmental concerns. The presentation was listed on the agenda as informational only; no Council action on permitting or approvals occurred at the meeting.
The council recessed later in the meeting because of Zoom audio problems and ultimately adjourned for lack of a quorum, so no formal follow-up actions or votes regarding the Mason Project were taken that day.
