Rio Grande Resources Corp. informed the Mining and Minerals Division of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department of the company's plan to cease mining at the Mount Taylor uranium mine and begin closure activity.

The New Mexico Environmental Law Center said Rio Grande is "finally facing the reality" that the mine is neither economically feasible nor environmentally sustainable, according to a Jan. 3 statement.

The mine has been on standby since 1999. Rio Grande Resources was granted a return-to-active status under a permit issued Dec. 29, 2017.

Environmental groups Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment and Amigos Bravos, both represented by the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, had contested the permit revision that was later upheld by the New Mexico Mining Commission and the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe.