[2] The unmined deposit was reported to be in the planning stage in 2007 with interests in the project from both U.S. Energy Corporation and Kobex Minerals Inc.[1][3] The deposit was originally discovered in 1970s.
[3] The Denver Post reported grassroots environmental groups, like the High County Citizens' Alliance and the Red Lady Coalition, actively opposing the planned work as of 2007.
[4] The groups pointed at expensive and poor cleanup attempts for similar mines in the area, one of which was listed as a Superfund site: Standard Mine.
[4] In February 2016, a subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan purchased the claim from U.S.
[5] This news was well received by the town and activist groups, because the new owners were willing to enter a cooperative MOU with both the local town and state and federal environmental regulators on care of the mine.