"BLM is narrowing reviews for proposed mining projects in states like Nevada and Utah. Critics say the agency is on shaky legal ground."

"The federal government is moving ahead with truncating reviews for proposed mines in states like Nevada and Utah, riling environmental and tribal groups and raising questions about possible legal trouble ahead.

In Nevada, for example, the Bureau of Land Management is reviewing Vancouver, British Columbia-based Orla Mining’s South Railroad mine project in Elko County, an open-pit mine that’s expected to affect 8,500 acres, more than half of which is public land.

But unlike past reviews, the agency is skipping a draft environmental impact statement and instead planning on issuing a final EIS and record of decision by spring of 2026. The plan calls for building four open pits, three waste rock facilities, a heap leach facility, a limestone quarry, a dewatering system and other operations."

Hannah Northey reports for E&E News October 21, 2025. [2]