LEAD, S.D. – Dakota Gold says it hopes to begin gold mining operations in the Lead area by 2029 as the company advances plans for new mining projects in the northern Black Hills.
Company President and CEO Jack Henris says Dakota Gold is currently completing a pre-feasibility study and expects to begin the state permitting process later this year. The company is seeking approval for an open-pit mine at Richmond Hill, with a longer-term goal of developing an underground mine in the Maitland area.
Dakota Gold has been exploring and drilling on properties near Lead since 2022 and says recent drilling results have identified gold-bearing formations similar to those once mined by Homestake.
Henris says the company plans to use a phased mining approach at Richmond Hill, backfilling and reclaiming mined areas as operations move forward to reduce environmental impacts.
The company estimates it will invest roughly $450 million to bring Richmond Hill into production and expects future employment to grow from about 40 workers today to as many as 300 employees.
Dakota Gold officials say they hope to build a long-term presence in the Lead-Deadwood community while continuing the area’s historic connection to gold mining.
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