Lucky Minerals allowed to explore for gold near Yellowstone National Park

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality released the results of a months-long evaluation of Canada’s Lucky Minerals (CVE:LJ) exploration plans in an area north of Yellowstone National Park.

Following such assessment, state officials decided to issue a license to the Vancouver-based company, whose idea is to explore for copper, gold, and silver in an area located within the privately-owned St. Julian mine claim block, in the Emigrant Mining District.

The decision comes after the agency reviewed 3,384 comments from individuals, organizations, and agencies, many of which opposed the miner’s activities in the area fearing they might negatively impact the tourism industry and pollute the nearby Yellowstone River.

However, government representatives said the company agreed to extensive water quality and wildlife monitoring plans. “The exploration license issued by DEQ will reflect the proposed exploration activity set forth in Lucky Minerals’ exploration license application, as modified by the mitigations measures contained in the Agency Modified Alternative,” the decision reads.

Lucky Minerals paid homage to its name as it wasn’t affected by a 2016 decision by the Obama administration, which banned new mining claims on 30,000 acres of U.S. Forest Service land near Yellowstone’s northern entrance.