New Mexico

Chino and Tyrone Mines – New Mexico

In New Mexico, mining pollutes skies and waterways, spoils public lands for ranching, recreation, and hunting and fishing, and destroys wildlife habitat.  Mining also emits toxic pollutants into the state's skies and waterways.  An estimated 90 percent of all reported toxic emissions in the state come from mining operations.  Mining has disturbed 19,000 acres in New Mexico. In 2002, mining in New Mexico was responsible for 24 percent or 3.5 million pounds of reported toxic emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Toxics Release Inventory.

Phoenix-based Phelps Dodge operates both the Chino and Tyrone Mines. The Tyrone mine near Silver City, New Mexico, had the 30th highest reported emissions of all U.S. mines sites in 2002. EcoFlight is aligning with GRIP and Earthworks to provide educational flights over a battle that is brewing over land exchange that would facilitate expansion of the Chino and Tyrone mines. To learn more about the Chino and Tyrone mines please visit: http://www.gilaresources.info/mining.shtml

See images of New Mexico mining in our Gallery: http://www.ecoflight.info/gallery.html?id_cat=22