Pat Risner

Unlike most mining megaprojects, which require huge open pits, The Hermosa project is underground, minimizing the visible footprint.

We will mine for up to 70 years at this site and only deserve 750 acres in total, says Pat Risner, the project's president.

still many community tensions remain unsolved the project sits in a biodiversity hot spot home to jaguars and mexican spotted owls and locals are concerned that mining operations may pollute the groundwater they rely on for household use.

Negotiations over a community benefits agreement remain ongoing.