BLM seeks initial input on proposed South Railroad gold and silver mine
ELKO, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on the proposed South Railroad gold and silver mine across approximately 8,548 acres of land in Elko County. If approved, Gold Standard Ventures Corp. could construct, operate, and eventually close a new open-pit mine about 25 miles southwest of Elko over approximately 16 years.
The proposed project boundary would include approximately 4,624 public acres and approximately 3,924 private acres with planned 1,267 acres of temporary surface disturbance and 503 acres of permanent surface disturbance. Construction is estimated to cost $200 million and employ up to 600 people, and operations would employ approximately 300 full-time employees for the life of the mine. Ore extraction would occur in four open pits, two of which would result in post-mining pit lakes.
BLM will host two in-person public scoping meetings to present the project. The meetings will be held at the California Trails Interpretive Center from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. PST on Sept. 3, 2025.
A notice of intent will publish in tomorrow’s Federal Register to begin a 30-day public scoping period. Additional information is available at the BLM National NEPA Register, where comments may be submitted through the ‘Participate Now’ option. The public scoping period will close Sept 18, 2025, or 15 days after the public meetings, whichever is later.
For more information, please contact BLM Planning and Environmental Coordinator Evan Allen at [email protected] or 775-861-6593.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.