New Mexico Humate and Green Wave Enterprises launch Fire Rock Mine, select Cibola County for growth
MILAN, N.M. — The Village of Milan is welcoming a new industry and new economic opportunity as New Mexico Humate and its distribution partner Green Wave Enterprises announce the opening of Fire Rock Mine in San Juan County— and a new humate processing facility in Milan.
The operation will focus on humate, a naturally occurring organic material rich in humic and fulvic acids, widely used in agriculture to improve soil health, nutrient absorption, and drought resilience. Humate is also used in environmental remediation and industrial applications.
The Milan plant, set to begin operations soon, will serve as the hub for processing, packaging, and distributing humic acid-based products to customers across the country.
“I was looking for a place with growth potential and that would also support growth,” said Jeff Warren, founder of New Mexico Humate. “Milan stood out because of the friendly people, the dedication of the workforce, and the community’s desire to grow.”
According to Warren, the company expects to create eight jobs in the first year, including manufacturing operators, forklift and heavy equipment operators, skilled labor, and a manufacturing manager. As sales grow, the facility could employ up to twelve local residents.
“Humate is an organic soil amendment that helps revive and heal the soil,” Warren said. “It adds trace minerals and improves plant growth. It’s especially important in New Mexico, where we have a rich deposit of humate and a need for regenerative farming.”
Warren added that the company is committed to energy efficiency and workforce development, saying the facility is designed to reduce waste and double-handling.
“We hope to help our employees build job skills and life skills—personal development is key to our beliefs and the future of our younger generation.” There may also be future opportunities for partnerships with local schools, farmers, and vocational programs, based on past experience. Warren noted he once worked with a high school vocational class on a fabrication project and supplied materials for hands-on welding experience.
The Village of Milan issued a statement calling the project “a positive step toward building a stronger, more diverse local economy,” and emphasized its ongoing efforts to attract and support job-creating industries.
Candi Williams, Village of Milan Manager, told the Citizen, “We are trying to make Milan a place where people can live and work and raise families—not just pass through. Growth like this is how we get there.”
The Fire Rock Mine site in San Juan County sits on the Fruitland Formation, a geologic deposit known for high concentrations of humic substances. The material will be transported to Milan for processing and distribution by Green Wave Enterprises.
With pre-orders already open and shipments expected to begin within two weeks, Milan is now positioned as a growing player in an industry that supports agriculture, sustainability, and rural revitalization.