GOLD Mining Threatens the Black Hills – AGAIN! – Page 5

SOLITARIO ZINC

NOW THERE ARE TWO GOLD PROJECTS THAT WILL IMPACT SPEARFISH CANYON

Golden Crest Project and Ponderosa Project.

In any season, witnessing the beauty while cruising, or just sitting, in Spearfish Canyon shows why it is recognized as “one of the premiere national landscapes in America.” The highway was designated in 1990 as a State and National Forest Service Scenic Byway, and the State boasts that “this canyon is one of the gateways into the heart of an ancient mountain range.” People who love this canyon have been working to protect it. How about you? Will you Help Protect this national landscape, too?

Update: 5/10/23

The Forest Service’s Environmental Assessment Decision for the Golden Crest Exploration Drilling Project is out!

More information on the EA to come.

Deadline to Comment is June 8 at 11:59 PM (mnt) – Click Here to Submit Your Comment.

goldencrest_draftea_newsrelease_051023 Download

Reading Room at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//ReadingRoom?Project=62590

To view or download other documents and maps go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62590

Golden Crest Project Plan of Operations

UPDATE (3/21/23) – Solitario Zinc has asked the US Forest Service to approve a second gold exploration project, the Ponderosa Project. This would be southwest of Cheyenne Crossing along Highway 85. The project would involve doing exploration drilling from 49 drill pads (as many as 10 holes per drill pad).

You can read the company’s Plan of Operations here. This is their application to the Forest Service for permission to drill.

Watch for more information soon.

Ponderose Project Plan of Operations

ponderosa-poo-12-13-22-solitario Download

Previous information regarding the Golden Crest Exploration Project.

Spearfish Creek and Spearfish Canyon are in peril due to gold exploration. *Photo by LaRae Meadows.*

RESPOND NOW – TELL THE FOREST SERVICE YOU WANT THEM TO DO A COMPLETE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) – AND HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

Why? Because Solitario Zinc, a gold exploration company, is now seeking permission from the US Forest Service to drill at 23 gold exploration sites on 1,350 mining claims as part of its Golden Crest Project. The Project is located on the west edge of Spearfish Canyon from Cheyenne Crossing to north of Bridal Veil Falls. The company plans to start exploration as early as August, but the Forest Service hasn’t decided whether it will require a short Environmental Assessment (EA) or a more thorough Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

CALL TO ACTION: Call the Northern Hills US Forest Service office at 605-642-4622 and ask them to complete a full Environmental Impact Statement for the Golden Crest Project. Lawrence County residents are encouraged to contact the Lawrence County Commissioners at commissioners@lawrence.sd.us and ask them to protect the county’s water, wildlife, and tourism economy.

What is also alarming is that Forest Service staff have recently confirmed that all the public lands in the northern Black Hills area are now officially claimed for mining, most by gold companies. We have identified five companies with claims in the area so far. The places we enjoy recreation, wildlife, clean water, and a bustling tourism economy are in danger.

Solitario Zinc is a Colorado company with an office in Spearfish, but the claims involved are owned by two Wyoming companies. As of December 31, 2020, Solitario Zinc had projects in Peru, Arizona, Alaska, and Canada. The company has never mined, but specializes in exploring for minerals and then selling its projects to other companies. It started filing mining claims in Lawrence County in late April 2021.

[Link to Solitario Zinc Plan of Operations (PoO) ]

Help us get the word out. Visit our website at bhcleanwateralliance.org. We also use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – so follow us and share.

Please also donate to help us oppose this new project, and others like it. bhcleanwateralliance.org/donate.

Sign the Petition to Protect Spearfish Canyon at www.change.org/spearfishcanyon

Actions

Northern Hills Forest Service Announces Solitario Zinc’s Golden Crest Exploration Drilling Project

ALERT: Northern Hills Forest Service Announces Solitario Zinc’s Golden Crest Exploration Drilling Project – Public Comment Requested by Sept. 2nd. The Northern Hills District of the US Forest Service has issued a notice that public comment is wanted on a proposed gold exploration project by Solitario Zinc called the Golden Crest Exploration Drilling Project.…

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