Why I Oppose 
Open Pit Mining on The Comstock
 
In General
  1. I don’t oppose mining per se, including open pit mining. Intermountian Research, my former archaeological consulting firm, did a lot of work for companies in petroleum exploration and mining. I’ve taken the mining industry’s dollar and  helped preserve cultural resources. I even invested 50 bucks in CMI (just to get the stockholder info and attend stockholder meetings). However.....


  1. Comstock Mining Inc has acquired about 6,000 acres through lease, purchase, and patented and unpatented mining claims, extending south from within the southern part of Virginia City, through Gold Hill and Silver City through Spring Valley nearly to Dayton. CMI intends to explore these properties and produce gold and silver through open pit mining and heap leaching. CMI properties lie in the heart of the Carson River Mercury Superfund Site.


  1. Pit mining will adversely effect quality of life, property values and the natural environment in all of the Comstock communities.


  1. The cumulative effects of previous pit mining in the Virginia City National Historic Landmark contribute to it’s endangered status by destroying historic sites and altering the historic landscape. Comstock residents oppose these plans because the Landmark is already designated as threatened by “the cumulative effects of contemporary surface mines,” and because of adverse effects to property values, peace and quiet, and the natural environment.


  1. More pit mining may result in the Landmark becoming delisted, resulting in significant long term economic impacts, including loss of Certified Local Government status with access to historic preservation grants (Piper’s Opera House, 4th Ward School)


  1. Tourists come to the Comstock for historic ambiance, not to view big holes in the ground.



  1. Much of the area explored in the current CMI drilling program lies within the limits of the Silver City Township and is zoned residential.


  1. No mines or mills have been active in Silver City since Donavan’s Mill closed in 1959. And it merely limped along intermittently that last decade.


  1. Environmentally and socially responsible mining practice calls for securing broad community support. A petition opposing open pit mining in Silver City garnered signatures of 93 residents (pop. ca. 170). A petition supporting mining here had 14 signatures. Comstock Residents Association has so far collected about 315 signatures from Gold Hill and Virginia City opposing pit mining in the National Historic Landmark. That’s about 46% of the 690 registered voters the area, with more coming!


  1. In 1986, the Lyon County Planning Commission and the Lyon County Board of Commissioners rejected an application for a change in Lyon County Master Plan special use permit (SUP) by Nevex Gold Co, Inc, for development of an open pit mine in the same area CMI is presently drilling. Commissioner Cummings listed several reasons for denial of the rezoning request:

    - Planning Commission had denied application

    - Does not comply with Master Plan

    -  Doesn’t conserve open space or protect natural/scenic resources

    -  Immediate and long-term adverse economic effects to Silver City and Landmark

    - Doesn’t promote health and general welfare of Silver City

    - Not compatible with Silver City Area - doesn’t encourage most appropriate land use

    - Present zoning predominately residential in nature

     - Rezoning would significantly harm integrity of the Historic District & Landmark

    - Violates goals of responsible management of national resources, improvement of neighborhood stability, and increased property values


  1. The 1986 decision gave existing Silver City home owners and new home buyers/builders confidence in the stability of zoning and property values. The result was the construction of several new homes and improvements to many existing properties.


  1. The present Master Plan and zoning are essentially the same as in 1986.


  1. The CMI drilling program thus far provides ample evidence that a pit mine in town will have adverse impacts on quality of life and ultimately, property values. The noise levels from drilling and equipment operation were unacceptable. Employment of “sound barrier” panels around the drills was ineffective and inconsistent. Silver City is in a canyon and the drills operate on the midslope of a ridge that faces residents of the town and the town center. Drill sound escapes from the area behind the barriers and is projected upwards to echo off the slope above the drills and into town.


  1. Silver City (and the Comstock as a whole) is in the heart of the Carson River Mercury Superfund Site where ground disturbance could release mercury from old mill tailings into the environment.

IN SILVER CITY
IN THE LANDMARK
I am Resisting
  1. Because I love Silver City and want to help guard it from harm, in particular, from open pit mining. This web site and blog are mine, and express the view of one Silver City Resident. The site is not supported or affiliated by any other person or group. Silver City Resistance is not the Comstock Residents Association, although I support CRA’s objectives. Silver City Resistance strives to reflect the unique political and social relationships of Silver City in Lyon County.