On December 15, 2026, Laramide Resources, Ltd. requested a schedule delay of six to twelve months to allow better alignment between the state and federal permitting processes. The revised schedule moves the final decision date by one calendar year.
The USDA CERPO, Deputy CERPO, Forest Service Responsible Official, Permitting Council Senior Infrastructure Project Advisor and USDA ERPO project manager had a meeting on December 19, 2025 to discuss the requested schedule revision. The USDA project manager informed the Permitting Council of the permitting timetable revision requiring an Executive Director Determination Request through an email to project’s Senior Infrastructure Project Advisor on December 19, 2025.
The Cibola National Forest sent the proposed revised schedule to the project sponsor on January 7, 2026 and met for discussion on January 9, 2026. Laramide Resources, Ltd. agreed with the schedule and said it would help bring the state and federal permitting processes into better alignment.
The proposed revised schedule was sent to the Permitting Council Senior Infrastructure Project Advisor on January 8, 2026 for consultation. There are currently no cooperating agencies under FAST-41. The proposed revised schedule was sent to participating agencies for coordination on January 8, 2026.The Executive Director Determination Request was submitted on January 14, 2026. Permission to enter the revised schedule in the dashboard was granted on January 15, 2026.
Consultation on the schedule change included the Project Sponsor, Permitting Council, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 (EPA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NM Ecological Services Field Office, New Mexico Historic Preservation Division, New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, Cibola County, City of Grants, Village of Milan, Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Laguna and Pueblo of Zuni. Consultation was conducted in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 4370m-2(c)(2)(D)(i)(I) and 42 U.S.C. § 4370m-2(c)(2)(D)(i)(II).
Milestones:
PROJECT WEBSITE: La Jara Mesa Project
All dates below are specific to the schedule of the Environmental Review and Permitting processes for this project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING STATUS
IN PROGRESS
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING
01/31/2029
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESSES
COMPLETED
SECTOR
Mining
CATEGORY
Project Category
FAST-41 Covered Projects
LEAD AGENCY
Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service
View FAST-41 Postings by Agencies
Description:
The La Jara Mesa Project proposes development of underground uranium mining and surface support facilities, planned over a 20-year period, on U.S. Forest Service land within the Mt. Taylor Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest, approximately 10 miles northeast of Grants, New Mexico. The project area encompasses about 16.5 acres in Cibola County.
The project involves the extraction of uranium ore for offsite processing and will be carried out in two phases: underground development and mine production. Surface infrastructure will include two adit portals, waste rock and ore storage areas, a vertical escape shaft, stormwater ponds, ventilation systems, and temporary facilities for workers. Additionally, new water and electrical lines are proposed to follow existing roads to the site.
Original Target Date: 11/17/2027
Milestone: Issuance of Lead Agency Record of Decision (Agency Action)
Requested extensions greater than 30 days for this Action are shown below:
Issuance of Lead Agency Record of Decision (Agency Action) extended by 366
From: 11/17/2027
To: 11/17/2028