Concerns Rise Over Potential Reopening of Anaconda Mine in Nevada
The BLM's potential sale of the Anaconda Mine site to Atlantic Richfield Co. raises environmental concerns amid cleanup completion. Local groups fear reduced oversight could lead to water depletion and pollution as mining plans emerge.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is considering selling its 2,000-acre share of the Anaconda Copper Mine to Atlantic Richfield Co. (ARCO), which could lead to less stringent environmental reviews. Cleanup at the mine, located in Lyon County, is nearing completion and expected by 2030, with ARCO having invested approximately $45 million thus far.
Environmental groups are alarmed by the prospect of reopening the mine, citing risks to local water resources and potential pollution. Critics highlight that state permitting lacks the rigor of federal reviews, raising concerns about public health and environmental safety if mining resumes. The mine has a history of pollution, narrowly avoiding Superfund designation due to state intervention, and any future operations must consider various environmental ramifications.




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