Government delays stall Pumpkin Hollow project

Nevada lands are flush with untapped mineral resources that could contribute to the U.S. economy. But despite local support for minerals development, the federal government is making access difficult.

Previously, we highlighted the benefits of the federal government opening up some of these areas. This, in addition to a more efficient permitting process, would promote sustainable economic growth and contribute the raw materials needed to bring more investment dollars to the United States, strengthen national security and improve our quality of life.

Nevada Copper’s Pumpkin Hollow is one project currently being stalled by such restrictions. According to an article from the Reno Gazette-Journal, the project could contribute more than $5 million per year in additional revenue for the local school district and create more than 700 jobs in the area, once the city of Yerington is allowed to purchase the land. It should also be noted that Yerington County currently has the highest unemployment rate in Nevada and the state has the highest unemployment rate in the country.

According to National Journal, the mayor of Yerington “has been watching with bated breath for the past 14 months as a bill that would allow the city of Yerington to buy 10,000 acres of federal land around the Pumpkin Hollow mine site for commercial, industrial, and recreational use has stalled in the Senate.”