The federal government approved a 20-year ban Thursday on new mining-related activity in a portion of South Dakota’s Black Hills.

The ban covers 32 square miles of federally owned land located about 20 miles west of Rapid City. The boundaries encompass the Pactola Reservoir and areas upstream that drain into the reservoir via Rapid Creek.

Lilias Jarding, executive director of the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance, hailed the action as “an expression of the will of the people.”

“It definitely shows that when people get active in their communities that we can influence what happens,” Jarding said.

Advocates for the ban rallied against a proposal from Minneapolis-based F3 Gold to conduct exploratory drilling. The project’s location is in the Jenney Gulch area of the Black Hills National Forest, within a mile of Pactola Reservoir. The man-made mountain lake is the largest and deepest reservoir in the Black Hills. It’s also a popular recreation destination and a drinking-water source for Rapid City and Ellsworth Air Force Base.

The boundaries of a ban on new mining-related activity encompassing the Pactola Reservoir and part of the Rapid Creek watershed. (Courtesy of U.S. Forest Service)

F3 won draft approval of its drilling plan from local Forest Service officials in 2022. Then, last year, the national offices of the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management announced they were considering a ban on new mining-related activity in the Pactola area.

Federal officials conducted a meeting about the proposed ban last year in Rapid City, where public sentiment was overwhelmingly against the drilling project and in favor of the ban. The Black Hills Clean Water Alliance said more than 1,900 people filed written comments on the ban, with 98% in support of it.

The ban is formally known as a “mineral withdrawal,” because it withdraws the area from eligibility for new mineral exploration and development. A 20-year ban is the maximum allowed by federal law, although the ban could be renewed after that. Only Congress can enact a permanent ban.

Decision comes from Interior Department

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland was the decision-maker on the mineral withdrawal, because the department’s Bureau of Land Management administers mining claims on federal land.

“I’m proud to take action today to withdraw this area for the next 20 years, to help protect clean drinking water and ensure this special place is protected for future generations,” Haaland said in a statement.

She also mentioned the area’s clean air, its recreational and ecological benefits, and the Black Hills’ sacred status in the traditional spiritual beliefs of many Great Plains Native American tribes. Haaland is a member of the Pueblo and Laguna tribes in New Mexico.

Tom Vilsack, secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which includes the Forest Service, issued a statement praising Haaland’s decision.

“The Pactola Reservoir–Rapid Creek Watershed provides so many benefits to the people and communities we serve, from clean water to world-class recreation, from livestock grazing to the spaces our Tribal communities consider sacred,” Vilsack said.

F3 Gold did not immediately return a message from South Dakota Searchlight. Jarding said F3’s Pactola project is negated by the 20-year ban on new activities.

“The only exception to that is if someone has already proved there is a mineral reserve, and without drilling, there’s no proving there’s a mineral resource,” Jarding said.

The company has another exploratory drilling project near Custer, outside of the Pactola ban area. The Custer project has final approval from the Forest Service.

Interest in Black Hills gold dates to its 1874 discovery by Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer’s Black Hills Expedition. The discovery set off a gold rush that ultimately led to the development of the Homestake Mine near Lead, which was the largest and deepest gold mine in North America prior to its closure in 2001. Today, the only active, large-scale gold mine in the region is the Wharf Mine, also near Lead. There’s a large abandoned gold mine in the Lead area, the Gilt Edge Mine, that is undergoing a massive cleanup and water-treatment project supported by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund.

Mining industry responds

Larry Mann, a retired South Dakota lobbyist who formerly represented F3, said the company’s project was treated unfairly. He said exploratory drilling would not damage the Pactola watershed, and that if drilling results justified developing a mine, the proposal would go through a rigorous permitting process that would probably take 10 to 15 years.

“F3 was willing to go through a lot of different things to accommodate concerns,” Mann said.

Mann wonders if the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump could seek to alter Haaland’s decision. Whether or not the new administration could do that, Mann expects Trump’s pick for secretary of the Interior Department — Republican former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum — to be more supportive of mining on federal land.

“I think that there’s a possibility now with a change of leadership that the pendulum could start swinging the other way,” Mann said.

An official working for Burgum’s transition team did not immediately return a message from Searchlight. A spokesperson for the Bureau of Land Management responded by email to Searchlight, saying only that “we’re not going to speculate about decisions of a next Administration.”

F3 Gold is not a member of the South Dakota Mineral Industries Association, but the association issued a statement Thursday in response to Searchlight questions about the Pactola ban. The statement describes the ban as “federal overreach.” The association also alleged that the decision conflicts with federal mineral laws and policies and fails to recognize the significance of critical minerals — such as antimony, used in batteries — that the association said are present in the area covered by the ban.

“The secretary’s rushed decision on the withdrawal of over 20,000 acres proves this administration is desperate to complete executive actions before the new administration takes over on January 20th,” the association’s statement said, in part.

The South Dakota Prep Media Basketball polls for the week of Dec. 23 are listed below, ranking the top-five teams in each class, record, total points and previous ranking. First-place votes received are indicated in parentheses.

Boys 

Class AA
1. Mitchell (14) 3-0 74 1
2. Lincoln (1) 3-0 61 2
3. Tea Area 2-0 22 RV
4. Jefferson 2-1 21 5
5. Brandon Valley 2-1 19 3
Receiving votes: Huron 14, O’Gorman 8, Harrisburg 3, Spearfish 2, Sturgis 1.

Class A
1. SF Christian (12) 3-0 72 1
2. Hamlin (3) 2-0 63 2
3. Dakota Valley 3-0 38 3
4. RC Christian 5-0 32 4
T-5. Lennox 2-1 9 T-5
T-5. St. Thomas More 5-0 9 T-5
Receiving votes: Pine Ridge 1, West Central 1.

Class B
1. Castlewood (14) 2-0 74 1
2. Dell Rapids St. Mary (1) 3-0 61 2
3. Viborg-Hurley 2-1 36 4
4. Gregory 4-1 18 RV
T-5. Leola/Frederick Area 4-0 11 RV
T-5. Howard 3-1 11 RV
T-5. Freeman 2-0 11 RV
Receiving votes: Wessington Springs 1, Dupree 1, Estelline/Hendricks 1.

Girls 

Class AA
1. O’Gorman (15) 4-0 75 1
2. Washington 3-0 59 2
3. Brandon Valley 2-1 41 3
4. Stevens 4-1 29 4
5. Spearfish 2-1 10 5
Receiving votes: Mitchell 7, Brookings 3, Aberdeen Central 1.

Class A
1. SF Christian (8) 4-0 66 2
2. Vermillion (4) 4-1 47 1
3. Hamlin (1) 3-0 43 3
4. Wagner 4-0 35 4
5. Mahpiya Luta (2) 5-0 30 5
Receiving votes: Mobridge-Pollock 2, Dakota Valley 1, Elk Point-Jefferson 1.

Class B
1. Centerville (15) 5-0 75 1
2. Sanborn Central/Woonsocket 2-0 51 3
3. Parkston 4-0 45 4
4. Lyman 3-0 27 5
5. Andes Central/Dakota Christian 4-0 20 5
Receiving votes: Ethan 6, Castlewood 1.

MITCHELL — It’s been nearly a full calendar year since the Mitchell High School boys basketball team last lost a game.

Since its last loss on Jan. 2, the Kernels have rattled off 20-straight victories — 17 in a row to end their championship run last season, plus a 3-0 start to the current campaign.

Mitchell is the first Class AA boys basketball program with a 20-game win streak since Sioux Falls Roosevelt won 35 in a row between the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.

During the current streak, Mitchell has defeated 16 different programs. The only current Class AA teams Mitchell hasn’t beaten during the streak are Harrisburg, Douglas and class newcomer Tea Area. Included in the 20 wins are 13 double-digit victories, including five of 20-plus points. Nine wins came against Eastern South Dakota Conference foes, with seven against Metro Conference opponents and four against West River squads.

Here’s a closer look at how the Kernels reached 20 wins in a row:

No. 1: Mitchell 49, Yankton 45

Jan. 5, 2024, at the Corn Palace
Three days following an overtime loss to Harrisburg on the same court, Mitchell went to an extra period again to survive a stern test from ESD rival Yankton in the first meeting since the 2023 state title tilt. Landen Soulek’s 12 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer in overtime, carried the day for the Kernels.

No. 2: Mitchell 67, Huron 56

Jan. 9, 2024, at the Corn Palace

No. 3: Mitchell 57, Sioux Falls Lincoln 51

Jan. 18, 2024, at the Corn Palace

No. 4: Mitchell 68, Brookings 55

Jan. 25, 2024, at Brookings

No. 5: Mitchell 71, Sioux Falls Jefferson 58

Jan. 30, 2024, at Jefferson H.S.
One week after taking over the No. 1 ranking in the South Dakota Prep Media poll for the first time in 12 years, the Kernels won a fifth-straight game by taking out an eventual state tournament team on the road. Mitchell led by eight points at halftime but ballooned the cushion to 22 points in the second half. Colton Smith had a big night with 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals.

No. 6: Mitchell 71, Sturgis 42

Feb. 2, 2024, at Sturgis

No. 7: Mitchell 59, Spearfish 45

Feb. 3, 2024, at Spearfish
In the last of four consecutive road games after claiming the top spot, Mitchell cemented its place atop the rankings. The Kernels won the third quarter 24-9 to turn a three-point halftime lead into an 18-point advantage entering the final frame. Gavin Soukup tossed in 21 points to lead the way.

No. 8: Mitchell 68, Aberdeen Central 56

Feb. 6, 2024, at the Corn Palace

No. 9: Mitchell 60, Sioux Falls Washington 55

Feb. 13, 2024, at Washington H.S.

No. 10: Mitchell 74, Pierre 50

Feb. 16, 2024, at Pierre
With a blowout road win over another ESD rival, the win streak reached 10 games in a row. Colton Smith posted a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double with five assists, and Markus Talley added 20 points, six rebounds and six assists.

No. 11: Mitchell 75, Sioux Falls Roosevelt 53

Feb. 17, 2024, at Roosevelt H.S.
Capping a stretch of three road games in five days, the Kernels dominated. Colton Smith scored 14 points in each half to spur Mitchell’s season-high scoring output. It was also the Kernels’ first win at Roosevelt High School in 20 years

No. 12: Mitchell 59, Brandon Valley 54

Feb. 20, 2024, at the Corn Palace
A preview of the eventual state championship contest, Mitchell overcame an early 12-point deficit to snap the Lynx’s own 12-game win streak. Gavin Soukup, Markus Talley and Colton Smith all provided 15 points for the Kernels, while Parker Mandel tossed in 10 points off the bench. Mitchell clinched a share of the Eastern South Dakota Conference title.

No. 13: Mitchell 60, O’Gorman 50

Feb. 23, 2024, at O’Gorman H.S.
Powered by 23 points and seven rebounds from Gavin Soukup, the Kernels polished off a 19-1 regular season record and secured the No. 1 seed in the Class AA postseason.

No. 14: Mitchell 60, Yankton 46

March 2, 2024, at the Corn Palace — Class AA SoDak 16
Facing a postseason rematch of the 2023 Class AA state title game to reach the state tournament, Mitchell roared out to a 20-point halftime lead and didn’t let Yankton closer than eight points the rest of the way. Six Kernels scored at least six points as Mitchell punched its tournament ticket, paced by Markus Talley’s 25 points, four rebounds and four assists. The win secured a fourth-straight state tournament berth for the program.

No. 15: Mitchell 69, Sioux Falls Jefferson 61

March 14, 2024, at the Premier Center, Sioux Falls — Class AA quarterfinal
Mitchell’s championship charge received a stern test in the opening round, as the Cavaliers chopped down a double-digit deficit to just two points in the fourth before the Kernels put the game away.

No. 16: Mitchell 72, Sioux Falls Washington 51

March 15, 2024, at the Premier Center, Sioux Falls — Class AA semifinal
Following a sweat-inducing quarterfinal, the Kernels’ semifinal affair was never in doubt. Mitchell’s lead was 13 or more points the entire second half, growing as large as 27 points. Gavin Soukup propelled the effort with 22 points and eight assists.

No. 17: Mitchell 46, Brandon Valley 45

March 16, 2024, at the Premier Center, Sioux Falls — Class AA championship
Markus Talley found Gavin Hinker for the title-winning layup with _ seconds to play, and the Kernels came up with a pair of defensive stops on the final possession to capture the program’s first state championship since 2005. Mitchell’s 17th state championship all-time, the most in state history, ended with a 23-1 record.

End of 2023-24 season; start of 2024-25 season.

No. 18: Mitchell 70, Watertown 44

Dec. 17, 2024, at Watertown
Kernels open title defense with a blowout road win in ESD play. Markus Talley drops in 27 points, while Gavin Hinker nets a career-high 14 points in the victory.

No. 19: Mitchell 55, Rapid City Stevens 52

Dec. 30, 2024, at Stevens H.S.
After trailing for much of the second half, the Kernels went on an 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter to swipe a road win. Markus Talley led the way with 26 points, including the last five to clinch it for MHS.

No. 20: Mitchell 61, Rapid City Central 47

Dec. 21, 2024, at Central H.S.
Tackling a third road game in five days to open up the new season, Mitchell pulls away late behind 19 second-half points from Colton Smith. All told, Smith (24) and Markus Talley (26) combined for 50 points in the win. It was coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt’s 60th career head coaching win in 75 games, a win percentage of .800.