Commission approves letter supporting Patriot Critical Mineralstungsten project

The Elko County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a sample letter of support for the Patriot Critical Minerals Mega Tungsten Project, a proposed tungsten development north of Montello.

Brody Sutherland, the company's chief executive, told the board the deposit was discovered in 1968 and is exposed at surface. He said the project team recently raised $14 million, has two drill rigs on-site for validation drilling and is targeting $75 million over the next three years to advance permitting, metallurgy and prefeasibility work toward a construction decision. "Tungsten is in high demand. China has dominated the tungsten market ... They control 83% of production," Sutherland said, framing the project as part of a push to establish domestic supply for critical minerals.

Commissioners questioned access routes, potential footprint and community impacts. Sutherland said the deposit covers roughly 200 acres and the company is working with the Bureau of Land Management on access; he said the firm does not plan to close existing public roads and that local ranch partnerships are in development. Commissioners moved and approved the letter of support by voice vote; the motion passed with no recorded roll-call votes in the transcript.

The commission's action was limited to approving the sample letter; no land-use approvals, permits or financial commitments by the county were made at the meeting. Staff said they would transmit the letter as directed by the commission.