LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The Bureau of Land Management Las Cruces District Office is seeking public input on a proposal from Freeport-McMoRan to disturb additional acres at the existing Santa Rita Mine. The 30-day public scoping period begins today.
The mine is an open-pit copper mining complex about 15 miles east of Silver City, N.M. Current operations cover approximately 10,000 acres, primarily on private lands. The BLM is now analyzing potential impacts of an additional 940 acres of public lands, recognizing the proposal includes 1,060 acres of private lands owned by Freeport-McMoRan. The proposal would facilitate the management of waste rock and would include ancillary facilities like roads, utilities, drainage and water storage.
Copper is on the Interior Department's 2025 List of Critical Minerals.
Details for the proposal including maps and instructions on how to comment are available on the BLM's National NEPA Register. Public comments may be submitted via ePlanning or mail to the BLM Las Cruces District Office, Attn: Santa Rita Mine 2026 MPO Amendment Project, 1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces, NM 88005-3371. Comments must be received by June 7, 2026.
For further information, contact the Las Cruces District BLM office front desk at 575-525-4300.
