Ponderosa Exploration Drilling
Solitario Resources has submitted a plan of operations to conduct exploratory drilling at up to 49 sites in the Long Draw and Limestone Plateau areas, approximately 13 mile south of Spearfish, SD. No mining would occur under this proposal.
Project Summary
Location Summary:
East of Spearfish Canyon and US Highway 385 and west of Hanna Road (County Road 196. Primary access is via Long Draw Rd (NFSR 209).
Project Milestones:
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Scoping Start | 06/20/2025 |
| Comment Period | 06/20/2025 |
| Decision | 01/2026 (Estimated) |
| Implementation | 04/2026 (Estimated) |
Expected Analysis Type:
Decision Memo
Categorical Exclusion:
Usgs 9.5(G)
Special Authority:
Not Applicable / Other
Lead Management Unit:
Northern Hills Ranger District
Notice and Comment Regulation:
Not Subject to Regulations
Project Purpose:
Minerals And Geology
Project Activity:
Minerals Or Geology Plans Of Operations
Current Status:
In Progress
Forests:
Black Hills National Forest
Districts:
Northern Hills Ranger District
States:
South Dakota
Counties:
Lawrence
Legal Land Description:
Not Applicable
Use the widget below to browse documents associated with this project. Cookies must be enabled to use this tool.
If you are using a mobile device, the setting for "Allow cross-website tracking" must also be enabled to view the documents. You do not need to sign up or login to Box to view documents, but if you have difficulty accessing the documents on a mobile device, you may choose to sign up for a free account, download the app to your device and log in to ensure that you can open the documents.
Alternatively, these documents can be accessed on the Pinyon Public website: View Documents on Pinyon Public
Chris Stores
2014 N. Main Street
Spearfish, SD 57783
605-642-4622
Chris.Stores@usda.gov
Last Updated: 11/21/2025