Federal approval, Risner said, covered infrastructure crossing public land, including a high-voltage transmission line, a second access road, tailings storage and water discharge points. “Getting a large complex mining project done in two years is a big accomplishment,” Risner said. Community focusHermosa entered the FAST-41 program as a covered project in 2023, receiving support beyond a published permitting schedule through the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. Both production shafts are expected to reach their final depth before year-end, with underground mining scheduled to begin late next year and first production targeted for early 2028. The company is building a remote operating centre in nearby Nogales where primary underground mining processes will be automated, semi-autonomous or remotely controlled.