Molybdenum mining company open to leaving in exchange for other land

Mt. Emmons to be free of mining forever?

It was announced Monday that negotiations have been taking place for the last year that might lead U.S. Energy Corp to give up its right to mine molybdenum on Mt. Emmons. The mining company announced on May 14 that it is open to some sort of “land exchange or similar process with the United States for the mining claims associated with the Mt. Emmons Project.”

The mining company has been in talks with the Town of Crested Butte, the High Country Citizen’s Alliance, the Red Lady Coalition and representatives of the U.S. government to facilitate such an exchange.

Details have not yet been worked out and the value of the property still must be appraised but all the parties are optimistic some sort of deal can be reached before the end of the year.

For more details of the story, pick up the Crested Butte News this Thursday or click onto the website Wednesday night.