The Nez Perce Tribe has formally adopted a resolution opposing the Stibnite gold project, that TSX-listed Midas Gold is advancing in Valley county, Idaho, over concerns relating to the potential impact of mining on natural resources.
Midas CEO Stephen Quin has expressed the company’s disappointment in the resolution by the tribal executive committee, and said on Wednesday that the company would continue to reach out to the tribe.
“The resolution appears to be driven by potential impacts on natural resources resulting from the redevelopment of the former Stibnite mining district and questions the benefits of the proposed restoration work that is an integral part of our plan of restoration and operations. The Nez Perce Tribal executive committee’s resolution also notes historic impacts from mining on the environment and the Nez Perce Tribe. Midas Gold is cognisant of the historic impacts of mining, which may nowhere be better illustrated than in the Stibnite mining district. We have therefore, from the outset, designed our plan of restoration and operations with closure in mind by incorporating considerable restoration of legacy impacts from historic mining, and focusing on improving water quality and fish habitat, all interests that we know we share with the tribe and that the public will become more aware of as the permitting process moves forward,” said Quin.
The Nez Perce Tribe is one of the three tribes being consulted by the US Forest Service (USFS) under the National Environmental Policy Act review process.
In September of 2016, Midas submitted its plan of restoration and operations for the restoration, redevelopment and operation of the Stibnite project. The plan was deemed administratively complete by the USFS in December 2016, and the scoping process was completed in July 2017. The environmental analysis and alternatives assessment is nearing completion.
The USFS reported earlier this month that it expected to issue a draft environmental impact statement for public comment in May 2019, followed by a final environmental impact assessment and a draft record of decision in February 2020.