Animas Mountain sits above an open pit copper mine. The mine did not appear to be back in operation but when I googled it I saw they did get final approval last year so I expect ramping up operations soon. A small section of the mountain is on unposted private property, including the summit, but the rest of the mountain is on BLM land. To get to the northside of the mountain does require crossing a small section of private property but as luck would have it, there's a county road. From NM-152 turn onto a signed "Gold Dust" road, following it for about 1.5 miles where the road will split. Gold Dust road goes right on the narrow graded road; Copper Flats road, the wide graded road continues on to the mine. Go right on Gold Dust road and follow it for about 7/10 mile. You will see two metal poles with a mine claim sign attached on your left, take that road. If you lack an adequate off-road vehicle drive as far as your comfortable. If you stay on the road it will end about 4/10 mile below the summit.