The forest service is releasing an environmental assessment for a gold drilling exploration project adjacent to Spearfish Canyon.
The decision associated with it allows the company to move forward with their project.
A Colorado-based company, Solitario Resources, wants to drill exploratory holes in the limestone plateau area just west of Spearfish Canyon and around Little Spearfish Canyon.
The company will drill across 25 pads, measuring at 25 by 75 feet, looking for gold. The drill holes will be approximately four inches in diameter and at a depth of 1600 feet.
An environmental assessment from the forest service is issuing a “Finding of no significant impact” for the project, which can last for five years.
Officials with Solitario say they're pleased with the Forest Service decision.
“Our proposed drilling program was carefully planned with all drilling activities situated on previously disturbed areas of past timber harvesting," said Chris Herald, president and CEO of Solitario, in a statement. "Several additional administrative steps remain before final permit decisions will be forthcoming, however, we consider this decision to be the most important milestone before final approval.”
The gold exploration will take place on public forest service land along Tinton Road, which runs roughly parallel and above Spearfish Canyon. The canyon is a popular tourist and recreation area.
A local anti-mining group opposes the decision, saying it poses a serious risk to water quality in Lawrence County and Spearfish Creek.
"It would also disrupt wildlife, add to our worsening air quality issues, and directly interrupt the recreation and tourism industry in our area," Black Hills Clean Water Alliance posted on its website. "One of the drill sites sits directly on one of the most popular mountain bike trails in the Black Hills, and multiple sites are within one-quarter mile of well-known hiking trails.”
Earlier this year the forest service issued a mineral withdrawal in and around the Pactola Reservoir in the central hills. That withdrawal put a similar gold exploration project by F3 Gold on pause until a determination is made.
The public has until the end of January to weigh in on the environmental assessment.
