Robinson Nevada Mining Company (RNMC) recently completed a project to assist the City of Ely with improvements to their drinking water and storm drainage systems. After working closely with the city to plan and execute these projects, Robinson assisted with enhancements valued at more than $3.9 million.

For the storm drainage enhancements, RNMC worked with local businesses, the City of Ely and the Northern Nevada Railroad (NNRR) to address concerns about the storm water system and its ability to handle fresh water discharged from the company’s Ely mine. RNMC currently pumps water out of a large limestone aquifer that contains potable drinking water and is now in a position where it cannot consume all of the water pumped out of the aquifer.

To ensure the Ely storm water system could handle the additional flows from the mine, RNMC took several steps including:

• Replacing the Ruby Street Culvert with a new concrete box and repairing the road surface.  RNMC also cleaned the drainage ditch in this area.  The approximate cost of this project was $100,000.
• Rebuilding the box culvert underneath the NNRR and cleaning several hundred feet of the drainage.  The approximate cost of this project was $30,000.
• Hiring an engineering firm to video camera the storm drain ensuring there are no obstructions, and identifying areas that need cleaning and/or repair.  The camera assessment of the drain underneath Aultman Street has been completed.   This phase of project resulted in a clean-out of 85 cubic yards of sand and gravel and cost approximately $70,000.

The total cost of all phases of the project was approximately $200,000.

RNMC also made significant contributions to enhance the overall performance of Ely’s water systems. Overall, RNMC donated water system improvements valued at $3.75 million (valuation determined by an independent appraisal performed by U.S. Property Valuation, LLC)

The components of this donation included:

• Terrace Well: A totally new, 700 gallons-per-minute capacity well located on the terrace north of U.S. Highway 6.  RNMC will continue to be responsible for all pumping costs associated with this well during the life of the mine.
• Golf Course Well:  A totally new, 2,300 gallons-per-minute capacity well located at the White Pine County Golf Course.  RNMC will continue to be responsible for all pumping costs associated with this well during the life of the mine.
• North Street Well:  Rehabilitation of a city-owned well on North Street in Ely, giving it the capacity of 700 gallons-per-minute. RNMC will continue to be responsible for all pumping costs associated with this well during the life of the mine.
• 10th & M Well: Rehabilitation of a city-owned well at 17^th and M Streets in Ely, giving it the capacity of 1,000 gallons-per-minute. RNMC will continue to be responsible for all pumping costs associated with this well during the life of the mine.
• Installation of 2,800 feet of 12 inch water line associated with the 10^th & M Street well.
• Construction of two wells in the Murry Springs area, at a cost in excess of $3 million. These two wells have a combined capacity of 7,000 gallons-per-minute.

RNMC has also established an escrow fund in the name of the City of Ely, and is making monthly deposits which will total $3.75 million by 2017. In total, RNMC has drilled four new wells in the last three years to supplement the Ely’s water systems.  These wells have a combined capacity of 10,000 gallons-per-minute, which considerably exceed the city’s current demand rates.

General Manager Cary Brunson commented, “Robinson Nevada Mining Company is proud of its partnership with the City of Ely to upgrade its water system during the last three years, and we look forward to working with the City in the future.  The vast improvements to the water system will positively impact the city’s infrastructure for decades to come.  Robinson Nevada Mining Company is committed to White Pine County and continuously improving the quality of life for its residents.”