Ivanhoe Electric has submitted a “relinquishment” to the Bureau of Land Management of 642 mining claims that covers approximately 13,264 acres in and around the Pinos Altos area of the Gila National Forest. Ivanhoe withdrew its proposed exploration plan in February, citing marginal potential for a high-quality porphyry copper system, following months of public discussion and opposition that included a petition signed by nearly 3,500 people. The submitted relinquishment concerns Ivanhoe’s mining claims in the area, while mineral exploration remains an ongoing regional issue, with Rio Tinto subsidiary Kennecott Exploration having filed 250 claims covering about 5,000 acres of Gila National Forest land northwest of Silver City.
The Food Basket grocery stores in Silver City and Bayard are under new ownership. Longtime owners Jim and Debbie Nennich of W and N Enterprises announced the sale to Food Basket Supermarket Incorporated. According to the owners’ announcement, the stores will continue operating under the Food Basket name, with the new company planning to expand products and services. The Nennichs thanked customers, employees and community partners for their support and expressed confidence in the stores’ future.
Western New Mexico University is planning for additional student housing as its residence halls operate at 98 percent capacity. University officials reported a 20 percent increase in first-time undergraduate enrollment compared with last year, and identified keeping students enrolled and expanding housing as priorities. At their recent meeting, regents approved capital funding requests for housing design, student recreation and baseball facility improvements. The university is also exploring public-private partnerships to expand residential space. The approvals move funding requests forward; they do not authorize construction to begin.
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The Copper Cowbelles have awarded a scholarship to Kassidy-Dawn Victoria Harris, a Silver High School graduate who is now a sophomore at New Mexico State University. Harris is studying animal science and plans to continue her education in veterinary medicine. She says her goal is to care for animals while helping people understand their animals’ diagnoses and treatment. The nonprofit supports students pursuing agriculture-related degrees and training in trades, with an emphasis on preserving agricultural traditions and supporting rural communities.