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The La Plata Mountains and Public Lands Coalition hosted a panel against Metallic Minerals' exploratory mining project, which has garnered local opposition. The Vancouver-based company holds claims over 19 square miles of public land and has reported identifying 1.3 billion pounds of 'copper equivalent.'

Concerns raised include environmental risks, water quality, and the potential long-term impacts of mining. Critics cite past mining contamination in the region as a warning. The timeline for mining operations could extend decades, and local stakeholders emphasize the need for thorough environmental assessments amid changing federal oversight. Metallic has not yet established the project's economic viability.