La Colorada Airport

Operational repurposing and encroachment by mining activities. The airport was a private airstrip serving the La Colorada gold mine. As the open-pit mine expanded, its operational footprint, including large heaps and haul roads, directly conflicted with the runway's safety and operational areas. The land became more valuable for mining support activities than for aviation, leading to the airstrip being absorbed into the mine's industrial site.

The site is inactive as an airport and has been repurposed for mining support. The original runway is still visible on satellite imagery but is in a severe state of disrepair. It is obstructed by large piles of mining materials and is used by heavy machinery as a haul road and staging area. It is completely non-operational and unsafe for any aircraft.

The airport's significance was entirely logistical and tied to the Mina de la Colorada, a major gold and silver mine. When active, it served as a private air facility for the mine's owner (Argonaut Gold). Operations typically included:
- **Executive & Personnel Transport:** Flying in executives, engineers, geologists, and other key personnel, often from the regional hub in Hermosillo.
- **Emergency Services:** Facilitating rapid medical evacuations for injured workers from a remote industrial site.
- **High-Value Cargo:** Potentially used for the secure transport of high-value products like gold doré bars, bypassing risks associated with ground transportation.
- **Critical Supplies:** Transporting urgent, lightweight spare parts for essential mining equipment to minimize operational downtime.
The airport handled small general aviation aircraft, likely single or twin-engine piston and turboprop models capable of operating from a short, paved strip.

Extremely low to none. The land has been fully integrated into the La Colorada mine's operational plan. Reopening the airport would require massive investment to clear obstructions, relocate significant mining infrastructure, and completely rebuild the runway. The mine's operator has likely adapted its logistics to rely on ground transport and the nearby Hermosillo International Airport (MMHO), making the revival of a private airstrip economically unviable.