URGENT: F3 Gold, a Minneapolis company, has received its state exploration permit from the S.D. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. State exploration permits do not require public input and are not appealable.
The company would need to get permission from the U.S. Forest Service before it could explore on federal lands in the area, but could now drill on private lands. The exploration permit covers an area from about a quarter mile upstream of Lake Pactola and Silver City, follows along and near Rapid Creek and Jenny Gulch Road, and goes almost to the Lawrence County line. A map and additional documents are available at bhcleanwateralliance.org
Rapid Creek and Lake Pactola provide the water for Rapid City and Ellsworth Air Force Base, as well as for ranchers and reservation and rural communities all the way to the Missouri River. The City of Rapid City opposes gold exploration and mining in the Rapid Creek watershed, as does Black Hills Clean Water Alliance.
100 Holes Now Might Lead to Huge Open Pit Gold Mine Later!
According to their EXPLORATION NOTICE OF INTENT: … “this gold exploration area is generally located from 0.25 to 3 miles north of Silver City, South Dakota, within Sections 19, 30, and 31; T2N-R5E and Sections 13, 14, 24, and 25; T2N-R4E, Pennington County.
Operations are anticipated to begin upon approval of the Plan of Operations from the US Forest Service and upon issuance of written restrictions pertaining to the Notice of Intent. The exploration project will consist of core drilling up to 100 holes to a depth not to exceed 6,000 feet. A maximum of 47 drill pads may be constructed under this Notice of Intent. Drill pads will average 50 feet by 50 feet. Approximately 12,500 feet of existing trails and new trails, including up to 7,800 feet of new trails, may be utilized under this Notice of Intent.”
Cover photo by Top Dog Publishing.
Black Hills Clean Water Alliance 