Liberty Gold Corp (TSE: LGD) (OTCMKTS: LGDTF) (FRA: PGW) has attained FAST-41 coverage for its Black Pine gold project in southeastern Idaho. The acceptance will streamline federal permitting for the brownfield mine site.
The development-stage company has made substantial progress with the operation since acquiring it, transforming it from a past-producing heap-leach project into a modern open-pit operation.
Liberty has completed comprehensive environmental studies, engineering work and is engaged in a drill campaign aimed at expanding known resources. The precious metal mining company just reported intercepting significant gold mineralization over a considerable length.
The most notable core from the infill drilling contained 0.86 grams per tonne gold (Au) over 123.4 metres, including 2.45 g/t Au over 24.4 metres. For step-out drilling, Liberty most significantly intercepted 0.67 g/t Au over 61 metres.
First gold anticipated in 2028
Black Pine holds a 3.1-million-ounce probable reserve and is expected to have a 17-year lifespan. The site benefits from mining-friendly policies in the state and pre-existing infrastructure.
Chief executive Jon Gilligan has credited the project’s maturity and readiness to collaborative efforts with agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.
FAST-41, an initiative enacted under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, speeds up the permitting process for major American infrastructure projects. It accomplishes this by synchronizing agency reviews and assigning experienced coordinators to expedite the projects. Often, FAST-41 will reduce the environmental impact statement timeline of a mining operation from seven to 10 years to two or three years.
It targets project that will require over US$200 million in investments with a particular emphasis on critical minerals for national security purposes.
As highlighted by Gilligan, Liberty is the 15th mining asset in the U.S. to receive the “Covered Project” designation and the only one in Idaho. This designation differs from projects that are merely tracked on the program dashboard, like so-called “Transparency Projects” that are of less importance.
Read more: NevGold Corp. advances toward gold-antimony resource with expanded Nevada drilling
Many FAST-41 sites sit in western U.S.
Other Covered Projects under the program framework include Equinox Gold Corp‘s (TSE: EQX) (NYSEAMERICAN: EQX) (FRA: 1LRC) Castle Mountain operation in California, set for a decision by year end; and the Newmont Corporation (TSE: NGT) (NYSE: NEM)(FRA: NMM)-backed Spring Peak project in Nevada, operated by Headwater Gold Inc (OTCMKTS: HWAUF) (CNSX: HWG).
Additionally, American Battery Technology Co‘s (NASDAQ: ABAT) Tonopah Flats Lithium Project; Paramount Gold Nevada Corp‘s (NYSEAMERICAN: PZG) (FRA: P9G) Grassy Mountain site in Oregon; and Hecla Mining Co‘s (NYSE: HL) (FRA: HCL) Libby exploration project in Montana.
Liberty Gold’s latest development aligns with broader 2026 federal reforms promoting efficient permitting for domestic mineral and metal production.
In Idaho, initiatives like these could help facilitate economic growth through employment opportunities and investments. Similarly, NevGold Corp (CVE: NAU) (OTCMKTS: NAUFF) (FRA: 5E50) is advancing its Nutmeg Mountain project, another open-pit, oxide heap-leach gold deposit in western Idaho. This project and Black Pine highlight the state’s emerging gold potential.
Liberty Gold expects a coordinated permitting schedule within the next 60 days.
Read more: NevGold’s latest discovery represents near term antimony production potential
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