Battle Mountain developer targets mining industry

Battle Mountain developer Randy Clark is banking on the town's proximity to nearby mines to spur industrial development in the area.

Clark doesn't expect the small industrial park he's developing at Chukar Lane on the west side of town to compete with the Northeastern Nevada Regional Railport in Elko, but he does think that being located within a few miles of several major gold mines will draw small mining service providers to Battle Mountain.

To date, Clark has erected three small industrial buildings, all of which are fully leased. Businesses that have taken space include:

* Victoria Gold, an exploration company

* Skyline Labs of Arizona

* Reno-Tahoe Construction, which is performing mining-related construction services

* Orion International Drilling Services of Kansas City

* Layne Christensen drilling of Kansas City

The main selling points are faster turnaround times for work or service and cost savings on fuel. Large gold mines in Lander County which are primarily served by companies and workers based in Winnemucca or Elko include Newmont Mining Corp's Phoenix project and Barrick North America's Cortez Hills mine. Other major mines in nearby Humboldt County include the Twin Creeks, Getchell and Turquoise Ridge mines.

"If you drew a line in the center of the state of Nevada, we are the geologic center of all the mining," Clark says. "With the price of gas, people are looking at gas and are starting to be affected. Fuel is a big part of costs."

Clark recently put the finishing touches on a 6,000-square-foot building that's split into two spaces, both of which are already leased. Clark has plans for additional phases there's a total of 34 acres ready for 1-acre lots but future development could be slow for the privately funded project.

"We have spent our own money, and we are taking a lot of risk," he says. "We are trying to do something here, and this is my home."

Three additional parcels already have power, and water/sewer are ready at another six parcels. Clark, who also has erected a storage facility in Battle Mountain, says he probably won't proceed with any future industrial development until next spring.

Sarah Burkhart, executive director of the Battle Mountain Chamber of Commerce, says that Battle Mountain's proximity to major mines will help spur the addition of even more industrial space in the town.

"We are right dead in the heart of gold country, and anything that is mining related just boosts the economy around here," she says. "We are centrally located, so it is easier for (businesses) and easier for the mines to get to them. Hopefully we will get more as we progress along.

"They all have to eat, and they have to have some place to stay," Burkhart adds. "It is like a spiral that affects everything."