Mining expansion and cannabis question highlight CVTAB meeting

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The June 17 meeting of the Crescent Valley Town Advisory Board (CVTAB) featured an expansion presentation from i-80 Gold and a community discussion over a proposed county cannabis ordinance.

The meeting saw some logistical shuffling. With Chairwoman Diana Kersey participating remotely, Vice Chair Jeremy Rice opened the proceedings before being called away by an emergency call. County Commissioner Mike Schoenwald and Board Member Laura Shivers—who started on the phone before arriving in person—helped steer the meeting through its agenda.

i-80 Gold outlines multi-million dollar growth strategy

Janelle Ordal, Vice President of External Affairs & Sustainability, and Allison Anderson, Manager of Community Engagement and Development for i-80 Gold, introduced the company’s three-phase development plan for the region:

  • Phase One (Current): Underground mining is underway at the Granite Creek operation (Humboldt County) and the Archimedes Underground (Eureka County). Ore is currently being toll-milled while the company invests over $430 million into the Lone Tree processing infrastructure and autoclave.
  • Phase Two: Focuses on the permitting and technical work required to bring the Cove Underground and Granite Creek Underground fully online.
  • Phase Three: Involves bringing Ruby Hill’s Mineral Point Open Pit online.

Ordal noted that construction on the Lone Tree autoclave will take a few years, with production expected to launch in 2028, at which point it will centralize processing for all three underground projects.

Infrastructure and housing concerns

While the expansion promises economic growth, it also brings logistical challenges. Officials highlighted ongoing concerns regarding future ore transportation along State Route 278, as well as housing infrastructure for an ultimate projected crew of 700 workers needed to serve the Eureka operations.

Schoenwald urged the mining sector to look locally when spending. Noting that heavy mine traffic constantly filters through the area, he stated:

“The mines are pouring millions into Carlin, Elko and Battle Mountain,” Schoenwald said. “I’m biased—I worked for them for 30 years—but I would like to see the mining companies invest into Crescent Valley and Eureka. One of the things that we’re concerned about in our community is housing. We’ve got a lot of small contractors in this area that are great suppliers.”

On the community front, Shivers inquired about potential mining support for the local Baptist church’s pantry and outreach program. i-80 Gold representatives pointed to their ongoing civic footprint, which includes partnering with the University of Nevada, Reno to fund an update to the county’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, and hosting the recent Eureka Grant Summit to connect local leaders and nonprofits with funding resources.

Cannabis

Schoenwald asked constituents for their thoughts on a proposed ordinance change regarding the legalization of marijuana cultivation and dispensaries, ahead of a county commission vote the following day.

Arguments For legalization:

  • Economic windfall: Resident Christina Tucker spoke in favor, noting the revenue it brings. She added that she knew “at least 20 elderly people in this town that take gummies,” viewing it as money that should be captured locally.
  • Stopping litigation costs: Schoenwald pointed out that the issue has been tied up in costly legal battles for nearly five years. “It’s been in litigation since October of 2021, and we have spent an enormous amount… on the litigation,” Schoenwald said, warning that without a clear ordinance, “the lawyers are the only ones who win.”
  • Medical benefits: Schoenwald also noted the practical benefits of medical usage, sharing that it allowed his father to finally sleep through the night.

Arguments against & cautions:

  • Workplace drug testing: Chairwoman Diana Kersey noted that while she likes the idea of county revenue, her position as a business owner complicates things. “I can’t have a single employee doing any of that because they get drug tested,” she explained. Both Schoenwald (as a mine employee) and Tucker (as a county employee) noted they cannot use it due to employment policies.
  • Traffic and security: Resident Dale Kersey raised concerns about the Interstate 80 corridor, calling it “an artery for our drug trafficking as it is,” though he conceded cannabis is “no better, no worse than alcohol,” save for the fact that it remains in the human system longer.

Despite an overall sentiment during the discussion that the county was “leaning towards letting it happen” to curb legal fees and capture tax dollars, at the official County Commission meeting the following day, the board ultimately voted down the cannabis ordinance revision. Commissioner Schoenwald made the motion to deny the change.