#United States #Boise #Perpetua Resources #Stibnite Gold #Antimony Mining

Perpetua Resources Moves Forward with Stibnite Gold Project

On September 19, 2025, Perpetua Resources Corp. received pivotal approval from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to commence development of its Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho. This conditional Notice to Proceed is a significant achievement after nearly a decade of extensive permitting reviews and an investment exceeding $400 million. Jon Cherry, the CEO of Perpetua Resources, expressed enthusiasm over this milestone, stating, "It is time for the Stibnite Gold Project to deliver for America."

The Stibnite Gold Project is poised to play a crucial role in ensuring a domestic supply of antimony, a critical mineral essential for defense applications. In addition to the project’s monetary implications, it also aims to restore an abandoned mine site in line with rigorous environmental standards, reconnect fish to their native spawning grounds, and create hundreds of family-wage jobs within the community.

The project has been placed on the Transparency Projects list by the Trump administration under the FAST-41 Program, aimed at enhancing domestic mineral production through more streamlined permitting processes. Emily Domenech, Executive Director of the Federal Permitting Improvement Council, remarked, “Completing federal permitting for Perpetua Resources' Stibnite Gold Project is a major step towards unlocking America's critical minerals resources.”

Project Background

Perpetua Resources has been proactive in its efforts to navigate the complex permitting environment since initiating the process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 2016. The lead permitting agency, the U.S. Forest Service, issued several key documents leading up to this decision, including a Draft Environmental Impact Statement in 2020 and a Final Record of Decision in January 2025. Throughout this process, community engagement has been robust, with over 23,000 letters submitted in support of the project.

The final mine plan is specifically designed to balance mining needs with environmental restoration. With the objectives of reducing the project footprint by 13%, restoring wetlands, improving habitat quality, and decreasing water temperature to enhance ecological conditions, the plan aims to address past environmental concerns alongside future mining activities.

Financial Assurance and Future Steps

The Notice to Proceed from USFS requires Perpetua Resources to post a joint financial assurance package agreed upon by USFS, the Idaho Department of Lands, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The objective is to secure these financial assurances in the coming weeks so that initial construction can begin soon. Cherry underscored the project's importance for national security, saying, "The Stibnite Gold Project is poised to once again produce minerals critical to national security and defense."

Looking forward, the development of the Stibnite Gold Project reflects a modern approach to mining that prioritizes both economic growth and environmental stewardship, aligning with broader national interests in securing domestic sources of critical minerals.

Conclusion

Perpetua Resources’ Stibnite Gold Project is on the cusp of a transformative chapter, blending the urgency for critical resources with responsible environmental practices. As the company prepares to advance construction, many will be watching closely to see how effectively they can integrate these dual goals, which have often been at odds in U.S. mining history. With the support of federal programs and a commitment to community engagement, the path forward looks promising.