BREAKING: Graphite Project – Public Comment extended through May 16, 2025. 

A NEW AND VERY TROUBLING EXPLORATORY DRILLING PROJECT HAS BEEN PROPOSED IN THE CENTRAL BLACK HILLS.

We need you to send a public comment to the Forest Service today (see below). This is named the Rochford Mineral Exploratory Drilling Project (not the former Rochford gold project, now called the Bella project). It would involve exploration drilling for graphite, a mineral that is used for electric vehicle batteries, lubricants, other industrial purposes – and for pencils.

See our map of this project HERE.

Why is this troubling – even more troubling than some of the other projects we’ve opposed? Because it is immediately adjacent to – and some proposed drill pads might be at – Pe’ Sla. Pe’ Sla is a sacred site or homeland to which Lakota people return ceremonially multiple times through out the year.

Pe’Sla in the Spring. Ed Martley photo.

We can’t tell if some proposed drill pads are within the Pe’ Sla (/pay-shlaw/) boundary, because the mining company provides vague maps. But by any definition, the project is too close!

The drilling has been proposed by Pete Lien & Sons, a Rapid City company known locally for its large gravel pit in the west part of Rapid City, the resulting poor air quality, and an iron ore mine at Nemo.

The project would involve 18 drill pads, which could drill vertically and at an angle for up to 1000 feet, and two supply areas. Typically, a drill pad can be the base for up to 10 drill holes. Exploration could contaminate water in the upper Rapid Creek watershed, with some proposed drill pads very close to streams. And there is also the potential for contamination or cross-contamination of underground water sources.

The scoping comment period for this project, originally scheduled from April 9, 2025 – May 9, 2025, has been extended through May 16, 2025. You only have 27 days to send your comments about this project to the Forest Service! Forward this information and tell your friends and family!

WHAT CAN I DO?  COMMENT!

Contact the Forest Service today. Use the QR code or the address below. (Phone calls or talking to a Forest Service employee do NOT count. Petitions and form letters do NOT count.)

You can be brief, but include the following –

  • Name and address
  • Who you are and why you care about this project and the Black Hills
  • The name of the project (Rochford Mineral Exploratory Drilling Project)
  • Request a 60-day extension of the “scoping” public comment period, so everyone has an opportunity to comment
  • Say why you oppose the Rochford Mineral Exploratory Drilling Project.  Use your own words (don’t copy ours).
  • Say that you want the Forest Service to do an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for this project

Comment online here –   or use this QR Code:

Or mail your comments to Mystic District Ranger Office, ATTN: Rochford Mineral Exploratory Drilling Project, 8220 S. Mt Rushmore Rd., Rapid City, SD 57702.

20240611_PLS_Rochford Mineral_PlanofOperations_AcceptedDownload

PROTECT THE FUTURE OF BLACK HILLS WATER – DONATE HERE.

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