The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given the go- ahead for production at Goldstake Exploration’s Whitewood Creek tailings project in South Dakota. “Mining would be allowed subject to the regulations of the State of South Dakota,” says the EPA, but not before a residential area sitting on the arsenic-laced tailings has been treated. Homestake Mining (NYSE), Goldstake’s joint venture partner in the project, is responsible for the cleanup.
The mine tailings project lies just outside of the Black Hills area where a 2-year moratorium on new mining activities is now in place. The moratorium was imposed in February as a temporary solution to increasing antagonism between miners and environmentalists.
Goldstake will now seek a state permit to mine the tailings, which are estimated to contain measured and minable gold reserves of 727,000 troy oz. Within 10 days after the permit is issued, Goldstake will receive a $1-million advance royalty payment from Homestake.
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