Stop the F3 Gold Drilling Project

F3 Gold received approval from the US Forest Service for exploratory gold‐drilling (about 36 drill sites) on public lands about 4 miles west of Custer in the Black Hills National Forest. The Mighty 790 KFGO | KFGO+2South Dakota Searchlight+2

The drilling is projected to go up to depths of around 3,000 feet using diamond‐core drilling. South Dakota Searchlight+1

Although current permits are for exploration, local groups fear that exploratory drilling could lead to full mining operations down the line (which entail greater environmental risk). https://www.kotatv.com+2BH Clean Water

How this could impact water wells & water supply 

Potential Water‐Supply Risks

• The project is located upstream from watersheds supplying local communities, including around French Creek and possibly contributing to the wider water supply. Some comments flag the risk to surface and groundwater. BH Clean Water Alliance+2SDPB+2
  
  

• Drilling requires water: in one related document the scale was 5,000 to 10,000 gallons of water per day per rig for drilling operations. UNICORN RIOT+1
  
  

• If local water wells tap into the same aquifers or connected groundwater systems as the drilling, then there is an avenue for impact: drawdown, contamination, or changes to hydrologic gradients.
  
  

Contamination Risks

• Drilling can disturb rock formations and fracture systems; this could enable migration of drilling fluids or contaminants into aquifers if not properly sealed.
  
  

• The company states they’ll use municipal or industrial water (not local surface waters) and will cap holes when done. F3 Gold+2UNICORN RIOT+2
  
  

• However, critics say no mine is proposed yet, but exploration is the first step. If a mine followed, then chemical leaching, tailings, acid‐rock drainage could become major issues. https://www.kotatv.com
  
  

• The risk of surface water contamination: even if the drilling uses municipal water, the disturbance of terrain or sediment could allow runoff into streams, affecting downstream users and wildlife.
  
  

Specific concerns for wells

• Local private wells could be affected by:
  
  

  • Lowering of the water table due to drilling draws or future mining draws.
    
    

  • Alteration of groundwater flow paths leading to contamination or reduced water quality.
    
    

  • If the drilling occurs between a recharge zone and well‐field, the integrity of well water could be jeopardized.
    
    

• Because the region’s geology is complex (fractured rock, karst, multiple aquifers), the usual assumption of “drilling is small impact” may underestimate connectivity.

• Even though the footprint for drilling is described by F3 Gold as “small” (less than 4‐5 acres) for exploration in some cases. F3 Gold+2UNICORN RIOT+2
  
  

• Habitat fragmentation: creation of drill pads, access roads, staging areas can degrade habitat for sensitive species (wildlife, plants) and increase edge‐effects (predation, invasive species).
  
  

• Noise, light, and human intrusion during drilling (potentially 24h/day operations) could disturb wildlife behaviours such as breeding, migration, foraging. SDPB
  
  

• Reclamation is promised: yet the “temporary” disturbance may still have long‐term impacts on soil, vegetation, and ecosystem connectivity.
  
  

• If a mine were to follow, the impacts multiply: large pit, tailings, waste rock, trucks, processing—all increasing habitat loss, dust, noise, and ecosystem stress.

Broader ecosystem & community impacts

• Tourism & recreation: The Black Hills is a major recreation area. Surface disturbance from drilling may reduce scenic quality, access, and thereby local tourism economy. https://www.kotatv.com
  
  

• Cumulative effects: While one exploratory drilling may seem small, multiple operations over time create cumulative habitat loss, increased road density, erosion, and hydrologic change.
  
  

• Cultural & Indigenous concerns: Some local tribes and cultural groups argue that proper consultation has been lacking and that sacred or culturally significant lands may be affected. BH Clean Water Alliance+1
  
  

• Uncertainty about future mining: The exploration may not lead immediately to mining, but it opens the door; many community members fear that once exploration is done, mining may follow with far greater risk.

What the company’s response / mitigation assurances are

• F3 Gold states that drilling is “small‐scale, limited impact” and that no mining or processing is part of the current permit. F3 Gold+1
  
  

• Company states water for drilling will be sourced from municipal/industrial sources (not local surface waters) and drill holes will be sealed/plugged after use. UNICORN RIOT+1
  
  

• They claim the footprint is very small compared to the size of the National Forest and that they will reclaim land once done. F3 Gold+1

Why local stakeholders remain concerned

• Even though the company says “no mining” now, local groups fear this is a stepping stone. (Exploration → discovery → extraction) https://www.kotatv.com
  
  

• The forest service decision used a categorical exclusion (i.e., no full Environmental Impact Statement) despite community requests for deeper review. BH Clean Water Alliance+1
  
  

• The downstream/upstream‐watershed issue: Even if the hills only host exploration now, contamination in such a sensitive hydrologic area could impact drinking water supplies for surrounding communities.
  
  

• Monitoring and enforcement: Once drilling is done and reclamation begins, long‐term monitoring of water, soil, and ecosystem health is critical—but not always guaranteed.
  
  

• Water use and rights: Even using municipal water, there may be indirect effects on water availability for local wells and streams.

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Custer, South Dakota 

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Black Hills Preservation Project

PO Box 9

Custer, SD 57730 

Contact Email:  blackhills@myyahoo.com

www.blackhillspreservationproject.org