Grant County commissioners on Feb. 13 approved Resolution R-25-15 supporting exploration activity near the Tyrone Mine, a move proponents said will support local jobs and the county economy.

The resolution drew public comment from residents, business groups and company representatives during the meeting’s public-input period. The measure passed on a voice vote after brief comments from commissioners; a roll-call tally was not recorded in the minutes presented at the meeting.

Supporters told the board the exploration permit is important to extending the mine’s life and the county’s economy. “This exploration project permit is essential for the long term development of Freeport's copper mining and the economic future of Grant County,” said Kim Clark, a fifth-generation resident. Peter Stubin of Silver City cited demand projections for copper and said, quoting a summary of widely published figures, that “global copper demand is projected to grow from 25,900,000 metric tons in 2023 to 39,100,000 tons … Much of this growth is expected to come from the EV industry.”

Rochelle Roberts, introduced as senior environmental scientist overseeing the Tyrone exploration permitting effort for Freeport, responded to concerns raised at a Feb. 10 public hearing and in written comments. Roberts said the company’s first application included two maps and that an updated application added eight more maps to address public questions about site location. She said borehole GPS coordinates, township-range-section data and mailed notices to neighbors within a half mile were included in the application and that the Mining and Minerals Division had deemed the first application administratively complete.

Roberts described several voluntary measures Freeport says it follows: adherence to migratory-bird guidance, plant-salvage efforts where practical (except for listed threatened or endangered species), third‑party noise and lighting studies intended to show impacts are unlikely at nearby residences, and reclamation practices consistent with regulation 19.10.0403 when an active mining application is pending. “It is important to remember that MMD's role is simply to govern reclamation, not every single aspect of environmental impact mitigation,” Roberts said.

Local businesses and civic leaders also voiced support. Romeo Cruz, executive director of the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce, cited Freeport's local investments and grant funding as reasons the chamber supports the resolution. Multiple speakers said mining jobs allow young people to stay in the county.

Commissioner commentary acknowledged concerns raised at the Feb. 10 hearing and said those were addressed during the public comment. “I really appreciate Rochelle … speaking during public comment to each of those concerns,” Commissioner Stevens said before voting to approve the resolution.

The county’s formal action—approval of Resolution R-25-15—was recorded during the business portion of the meeting. The transcript records the motion and a second and then the chair calling for the vote; the record shows commissioners answered “Aye” and the motion carried.

The resolution underscores longstanding tensions between local economic reliance on mining and public questions about environmental protections; Freeport representatives told the board they have additional studies and grievance-management systems available to the public.

The county did not attach conditions to the resolution during the vote. Information provided during comments points residents to the Mining and Minerals Division permitting process for challenges or additional public comment on the exploration permits.