Local environmentalists are encouraging the public to comment on a proposed mineral withdrawal around Pactola Reservoir in the central Black Hills.
If approved, mining and mineral exploration activity could cease around the 20,000 acre area for up to 20 years.
The mineral withdrawal is proposed by the U.S. Forest Service, but ultimately must be approved by interior secretary Deb Haaland.
Bonnie Gestring is the northwest program director for Earthworks, a national environmental group.
“We see this as a critical tool that communities can implement through their federal agencies to protect important resources,” Gestring said. “One thing in my experience is that public engagement is particularly important.”
Pactola is the primary municipal water source for Rapid City and Ellsworth Air Force Base.
South Dakota has seen a sharp increase in new mineral claims in the last five years. Almost all are found in the western part of the state. In 2019, there were 230 new mining claims. In 2022, there were 4,248 new claims—over an 18-fold increase.
That number does not reflect the actual status of claims, but rather claims that were opened during that year.
Critics of the withdrawal say the move contradicts calls by the Biden Administration to source critical minerals domestically.
One local mining industry group said they’re concerned about the process used by agencies to advance the mineral withdrawal.
As the United States sifts its focus to a green economy, that group said the public must focus on where and how minerals are mined.
“A majority of the minerals needed for a green economy are currently mined in other countries including China, DR Congo, and Russia,” said Kwinn Neff, president of South Dakota Mineral Industries Association, in an email. “Unlike the U.S., mining is done with limited or no regard for environmental protections, labor laws, or climate change and is just one of the many reasons we work to inform the public about mining in South Dakota and the United States.”
The public has until June 20 to comment on the proposal.
