The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) has granted the Stibnite gold project an air permit, mandating compliance with state and federal air standards and regulating emissions from construction and mining.
"Receipt of our first permit marks a significant milestone for the Stibnite gold project," said Perpetua Resources president and CEO Laurel Sayer.
"The approval demonstrates our commitment to comply with state and federal standards and the dedication of our team to fulfil the requirements of the permitting process."
During the Clean Air Act permit review process, IDEQ assessed the proposed air emissions and prescribed enforceable requirements to reduce air quality impacts from the project. The final permit is designed to ensure protection of public health and the environment.
Perpetua said the emissions allowed by the air permit were consistent with the mine plan currently under review in the federal permitting process.
The permit is one of many permits Perpetua is seeking in parallel with the National Environmental Policy Act process, and the company continues to anticipate the release of a supplemental draft environmental impact statement in the third quarter of 2022.
Perpetua’s plan for the Stibnite project is to restore the site, which is an abandoned mining area, as well as to mine it for critical mineral antimony and gold. The company argues that redeveloping the already mined area will allow it to generate the funds needed to properly take care of the environment.
The Stibnite project will produce about 300 000 oz/y of gold at an all-in sustaining cost of $636/oz.