Effort to block mining near Crested Butte stalls

A deal for U.S. Energy Corp. to scrap its plans to mine molybdenum near Crested Butte appears stalled. The High Country Citizens' Alliance and others have opposed the Riverton, Wyo.-based company's plans to mine at Mount Emmons. U.S. Energy said this spring it was in talks with the groups to return its mining claims to the federal government in exchange for something of comparable value. The swap would likely require help from Congress. This month, the company said the swap effort was suspended in June, primarily because of uncertainty over what Congress would look like after the November elections. The company says it is focusing now on a mine operations plan. High Country Citizens' Alliance is opposing the plan while remaining open to talks.