# Mining News in South Dakota

Canonical page: https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news?regions=south+dakota

Atlas summarizes and classifies mining-industry stories from third-party publishers. Follow each source link for the original reporting.

Results: 20
Returned: 10
Coverage: drill results, resource updates, and metallurgy; primary commodity matching; all time unless dates are supplied.
Region: South Dakota (south dakota)
Applied filters: {"regions":["south dakota"],"document_types":["drill_results","resource_update","metallurgy"],"document_type_match":"any"}
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## Solitario Completes Phase-One Drilling at Golden Crest - Reports Initial Drill Results for Ponderosa

- Atlas analysis: [Read analysis](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/solitario-completes-phase-one-drilling-at-golden-crest-reports-initial-drill-res--313c9d3c-7cd4-458f-9d4c-ae9fad809593) · [Markdown](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/solitario-completes-phase-one-drilling-at-golden-crest-reports-initial-drill-res--313c9d3c-7cd4-458f-9d4c-ae9fad809593.md)
- Original announcement: 2026-09-02T12:30:00.000Z
- Atlas analysis published: Unknown date
- Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date
- Company: Solitario Resources Corp. (SLR)
- Original source: [tmx](https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/SLR/news/5199653073828130/solitario-completes-phase-one-drilling-at-golden-crest-reports-initial-drill-res)
- Atlas sentiment: -0.131
- Atlas tags: QA/QC Disclosed, No QA/QC Disclosure, Nearology Play

Solitario Resources reported initial assay results from three core holes at the Ponderosa area of the Golden Crest gold project, intersecting low-grade gold (0.02 to 0.40 g/t Au). While no high-grade feeder zones were identified in these initial holes, drone magnetic surveys have identified a large new target area on the western margin. The company has also mobilized to its Cat Creek molybdenum-rhenium project in Colorado.

## Lion Rock Extends Tin and Tantalum Mineralization at Volney as Phase 2 Drill Planning Begins

- Atlas analysis: [Read analysis](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/lion-rock-extends-tin-and-tantalum-mineralization-at-volney-as-phase-2-drill-pla--21e5c71a-268b-4dba-861a-d75fbc707bba) · [Markdown](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/lion-rock-extends-tin-and-tantalum-mineralization-at-volney-as-phase-2-drill-pla--21e5c71a-268b-4dba-861a-d75fbc707bba.md)
- Original announcement: 2026-08-27T11:20:00.000Z
- Atlas analysis published: Unknown date
- Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date
- Company: Lion Rock Resources Inc. (ROAR)
- Original source: [tmx](https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/ROAR/news/6730804078365836/lion-rock-extends-tin-and-tantalum-mineralization-at-volney-as-phase-2-drill-pla)
- Atlas sentiment: 0.252
- Atlas tags: Step-Out Extension, Nearology Play

Lion Rock Resources has completed a surface exploration program at the Volney Project in South Dakota, identifying tin and tantalum mineralization extending 300m beyond previous limits. While visual observations include coarse tantalite crystals, assay results for the 100+ grab samples are currently pending.

## enCore Energy Receives Bureau of Land Management Authorization to Begin Construction at Dewey Burdock Uranium Project

- Atlas analysis: [Read analysis](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/encore-energy-receives-bureau-of-land-management-authorization-to-begin-construc--06c68e78-8678-454c-b8d6-e750c2fbd55d) · [Markdown](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/encore-energy-receives-bureau-of-land-management-authorization-to-begin-construc--06c68e78-8678-454c-b8d6-e750c2fbd55d.md)
- Original announcement: 2026-06-18T11:10:00.000Z
- Atlas analysis published: Unknown date
- Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date
- Company: enCore Energy Corp. (EU)
- Original source: [tmx](https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/EU/news/6552354704502544/encore-energy-receives-bureau-of-land-management-authorization-to-begin-construc)
- Atlas sentiment: 0.493
- Atlas tags: QP/CP Signed

enCore Energy has received final authorization from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to begin infrastructure construction at the Dewey Burdock Uranium Project in South Dakota. The project is an advanced-stage In-Situ Recovery (ISR) uranium operation and is part of the federal Fast-41 permitting program.

## enCore Energy Receives Bureau of Land Management Authorization to Begin Construction at Dewey Burdock Uranium Project

- Atlas analysis: [Read analysis](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/encore-energy-receives-bureau-of-land-management-authorization-to-begin-construc--4b16bae0-dd4c-4d8e-a908-395883a9fe1a) · [Markdown](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/encore-energy-receives-bureau-of-land-management-authorization-to-begin-construc--4b16bae0-dd4c-4d8e-a908-395883a9fe1a.md)
- Original announcement: 2026-06-18T11:10:00.000Z
- Atlas analysis published: Unknown date
- Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date
- Company: enCore Energy Corp. (EU)
- Original source: [tmx](https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/EU/news/5506650119467451/encore-energy-receives-bureau-of-land-management-authorization-to-begin-construc)
- Atlas sentiment: 0.493
- Atlas tags: QP/CP Signed, NI 43-101 Compliant

enCore Energy has received Bureau of Land Management (BLM) authorization to begin infrastructure construction at the Dewey Burdock Uranium Project in South Dakota. The project is part of the federal Fast-41 program, which aims to accelerate permitting for critical mineral projects.

## Lion Rock Commences Metallurgical Testing at Past-Producing Volney Critical Minerals Project, South Dakota

- Atlas analysis: [Read analysis](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/lion-rock-commences-metallurgical-testing-at-past-producing-volney-critical-mine--57c135c8-f45e-4ba2-92f9-1ac674377227) · [Markdown](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/lion-rock-commences-metallurgical-testing-at-past-producing-volney-critical-mine--57c135c8-f45e-4ba2-92f9-1ac674377227.md)
- Original announcement: 2026-06-09T11:20:00.000Z
- Atlas analysis published: Unknown date
- Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date
- Company: Lion Rock Resources Inc. (ROAR)
- Original source: [tmx](https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/ROAR/news/6834007670593866/lion-rock-commences-metallurgical-testing-at-past-producing-volney-critical-mine)
- Atlas sentiment: 0.306
- Atlas tags: Mill Route, Bench Scale Only, Gravity Route, Single Domain Only

Lion Rock Resources has commenced a metallurgical and mineralogical testing program at the Volney critical minerals and gold project in South Dakota. The program uses large bulk samples to evaluate processing pathways for lithium, tin, and tantalum, aiming to optimize future production methods.

## Lion Rock Expands Critical Minerals Strike; Continues 100% Drill Hit Rate at Volney, South Dakota

- Atlas analysis: [Read analysis](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/lion-rock-expands-critical-minerals-strike-continues-100-drill-hit-rate-at-volne--3c82aa05-b894-4603-91e0-6b8271a8f167) · [Markdown](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/lion-rock-expands-critical-minerals-strike-continues-100-drill-hit-rate-at-volne--3c82aa05-b894-4603-91e0-6b8271a8f167.md)
- Original announcement: 2026-05-05T11:20:00.000Z
- Atlas analysis published: Unknown date
- Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date
- Company: Lion Rock Resources Inc. (ROAR)
- Original source: [tmx](https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/ROAR/news/7813932962703561/lion-rock-expands-critical-minerals-strike-continues-100-drill-hit-rate-at-volne)
- Atlas sentiment: 0.67
- Atlas tags: None

Lion Rock Resources Inc. announced the remaining results from its 15-hole Phase One drill program at the Volney Project in South Dakota, reporting a 100% drill hit rate. The program successfully expanded the critical minerals strike to 300m long, up to 100m wide, and 150m deep, with high-grade lithium, tin, and tantalum mineralization starting at surface. The company plans an expanded Phase Two drill program to aggressively step out and test additional targets.

## Lion Rock Makes New Gold Discovery at Volney, South Dakota

- Atlas analysis: [Read analysis](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/lion-rock-makes-new-gold-discovery-at-volney-south-dakota--7fde10ad-ba74-4abb-b19e-e1d3cf0d5833) · [Markdown](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/lion-rock-makes-new-gold-discovery-at-volney-south-dakota--7fde10ad-ba74-4abb-b19e-e1d3cf0d5833.md)
- Original announcement: 2026-04-08T13:30:00.000Z
- Atlas analysis published: Unknown date
- Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date
- Company: Lion Rock Resources Inc. (ROAR)
- Original source: [tmx](https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/ROAR/news/5197330023513174/lion-rock-makes-new-gold-discovery-at-volney-south-dakota)
- Atlas sentiment: 0.696
- Atlas tags: Step-Out Extension, QA/QC Disclosed, Apparent Width Only, Nearology Play

Lion Rock Resources Inc. has announced a new gold discovery at its Volney Project in South Dakota, with Phase 1 drilling confirming a 500m strike length. The results show high-grade gold cores nested within broader mineralization and indicate potential for near-surface, bulk-tonnage mining. The project also shows potential for lithium mineralization.

## Lion Rock's First Results from Maiden Drill Program Reveals Discovery of Multiple Critical Mineral Intercepts Within the Volney Pegmatite

- Atlas analysis: [Read analysis](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/lion-rock-s-first-results-from-maiden-drill-program-reveals-discovery-of-multipl--7b7a98c3-531e-445b-a861-679a0667fe71) · [Markdown](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/lion-rock-s-first-results-from-maiden-drill-program-reveals-discovery-of-multipl--7b7a98c3-531e-445b-a861-679a0667fe71.md)
- Original announcement: 2026-02-26T12:20:00.000Z
- Atlas analysis published: Unknown date
- Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date
- Company: Lion Rock Resources Inc. (ROAR)
- Original source: [tmx](https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/ROAR/news/6254398207357467/lion-rock-s-first-results-from-maiden-drill-program-reveals-discovery-of-multipl)
- Atlas sentiment: 0.686
- Atlas tags: Step-Out Extension, QA/QC Disclosed, Apparent Width Only

Lion Rock Resources has reported maiden drill results from its Volney Project in South Dakota, revealing significant lithium, tin, and tantalum intercepts within a pegmatite system. The Phase 1 program confirmed a multi-element critical mineral signature including gallium, cesium, and rubidium, though results represent partial widths of the pegmatite bodies.

## Lion Rock Completes Phase 1 Drill Program at Volney Project, South Dakota

- Atlas analysis: [Read analysis](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/lion-rock-completes-phase-1-drill-program-at-volney-project-south-dakota--0c0c30bb-eaf3-405a-acc1-95cdbd87d863) · [Markdown](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/lion-rock-completes-phase-1-drill-program-at-volney-project-south-dakota--0c0c30bb-eaf3-405a-acc1-95cdbd87d863.md)
- Original announcement: 2026-01-22T12:20:00.000Z
- Atlas analysis published: Unknown date
- Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date
- Company: Lion Rock Resources Inc. (ROAR)
- Original source: [tmx](https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/ROAR/news/7922365588059547/lion-rock-completes-phase-1-drill-program-at-volney-project-south-dakota)
- Atlas sentiment: 0.131
- Atlas tags: No QA/QC Disclosure, Nearology Play, QA/QC Disclosed

Lion Rock Resources has completed its Phase 1 exploration drill program at the Volney Project in South Dakota, totaling 3,600 metres across 15 holes. The program successfully intersected spodumene-bearing pegmatites and mineralized shear zones, though assay results are currently pending from SGS Denver.

## Lion Rock Drilling Update for High-Grade Gold-Lithium Project at Volney, South Dakota

- Atlas analysis: [Read analysis](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/lion-rock-drilling-update-for-high-grade-gold-lithium-project-at-volney-south-da--789aedcb-784a-48e4-9074-001b94647602) · [Markdown](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/lion-rock-drilling-update-for-high-grade-gold-lithium-project-at-volney-south-da--789aedcb-784a-48e4-9074-001b94647602.md)
- Original announcement: 2025-12-02T12:20:00.000Z
- Atlas analysis published: Unknown date
- Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date
- Company: Lion Rock Resources Inc. (ROAR)
- Original source: [tmx](https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/ROAR/news/5321400386019253/lion-rock-drilling-update-for-high-grade-gold-lithium-project-at-volney-south-da)
- Atlas sentiment: 0.131
- Atlas tags: Nearology Play, QA/QC Disclosed, No QA/QC Disclosure

Lion Rock Resources has completed approximately 2,400m of inaugural drilling at the Volney Project in South Dakota, targeting gold and lithium. While visual evidence of spodumene-bearing pegmatites and sulphide-bearing shear zones is encouraging, all assay results are currently pending.

# Atlas tag definitions

- **Bonanza Intercept:** Exceptionally high-grade zone, well above the deposit-type norm.
- **Metal Equivalent Opaque:** Metal equivalent grade reported without disclosing the price, recovery, or payability assumptions used. Requires an actual metal equivalent grade; a combined elemental basket such as PGE is not a metal equivalent.
- **True Width Disclosed:** Actual thickness perpendicular to structure is stated, not just downhole length.
- **Apparent Width Only:** Interval given as downhole width with no true width or drill orientation — apparent width may overstate true thickness.
- **QA/QC Disclosed:** Release includes QA/QC disclosure — certified lab, QP sign-off, or stated methods (blanks, standards, duplicates).
- **Compositing Transparent:** Cut-off grade and internal dilution rules are clearly stated for reported intervals.
- **No QA/QC Disclosure:** Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document.
- **Cut-off Undisclosed:** Cut-off grade not disclosed — cannot assess comparability to prior estimates or peers.
- **Step-Out Extension:** Mineralization extended beyond the previously known limit.
- **Infill Drilling:** Confirmatory drilling to raise resource confidence, not new discovery.
- **Stale Data Re-release:** Historical results re-announced with no new assays or reinterpretation — low genuine novelty.
- **Deleterious Elements Present:** A source-stated penalty, refractory or recovery concern in the fact's scope. Element detection alone, including measured elements explicitly below penalty thresholds, does not trigger this tag. Respect negation and retain a separately stated concern even when another risk is explicitly absent.
- **Refractory Ore:** Complex mineralogy requiring oxidation or other special processing before recovery.
- **Nearology Play:** Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results.
- **Measured Resource:** Highest confidence category — tonnage, grade, shape well-established from closely-spaced drilling. Basis for Proven Reserves.
- **Indicated Resource:** Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves.
- **Proven Reserve:** Measured Resource with demonstrated economic viability after applying modifying factors.
- **Probable Reserve:** Indicated Resource with demonstrated economic viability after applying modifying factors.
- **Inferred Resource:** Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone.
- **All Inferred:** M&I share below the weak bound — very early stage, no engineering confidence.
- **Tonnage Growth:** Tonnage increase reaching the strong tier vs prior estimate, with grade maintained or improved.
- **Grade Improvement:** Average resource grade improved vs prior estimate — better deposit economics.
- **Contained Metal Growth:** True scale improvement — contained metal ounces/tonnes increased vs prior, accounting for both tonnage and grade changes.
- **Category Upgrade:** Resource confidence improved — Inferred upgraded to Indicated, or Indicated to Measured. De-risking signal.
- **Tonnage Decline:** Resource tonnage decreased vs prior estimate — pit optimization removed marginal material or geological model revised down.
- **Grade Decline:** Average grade fell below the red-flag bound vs prior estimate — deposit economics worsening. May indicate high-grading in early drilling.
- **Contained Metal Decline:** Contained metal decreased vs prior despite tonnage growth — grade dilution exceeds volume gain.
- **Category Downgrade:** Resource confidence decreased — Measured downgraded to Indicated, or Indicated to Inferred. Unusual and concerning.
- **Dilutive Growth:** Tonnage increased but contained metal flat or down — likely from lower cut-off grade, not geological expansion.
- **Cut-off Lowered:** Cut-off grade reduced beyond the suspicious bound vs prior estimate — tonnage growth may be artificial inflation.
- **Cut-off Undisclosed:** Cut-off grade not disclosed — cannot assess comparability to prior estimates or peers.
- **Stale Estimate:** Effective date is >2 years old — data currency concern, may not reflect current geological understanding.
- **QP/CP Signed:** Qualified Person (QP) or Competent Person (CP) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association (e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo) with relevant experience.
- **Cut-off Disclosed:** Cut-off grade used for resource reporting is clearly stated, enabling like-for-like comparison.
- **JORC Compliant:** Resource estimate prepared in compliance with JORC Code (Australia) — high reporting standard.
- **NI 43-101 Compliant:** Resource estimate prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 (Canada) — high reporting standard.
- **Historical Estimate Only:** Estimate pre-dates or does not comply with current JORC/NI 43-101 standards — requires verification drilling.
- **No Contained Metal:** Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting.
- **No QP/CP Disclosure:** No Qualified Person or Competent Person named — lower credibility for the estimate. A QP/CP should be a member of a recognized professional association with relevant experience.
- **Maiden Resource:** First formal MRE for the project — establishes baseline but typically exploration-stage with high Inferred component. No prior estimate exists, so every change band is not applicable.
- **Resource Update:** Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress.
- **PEA-Supporting:** Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study.
- **PFS-Supporting:** Resource estimate prepared to support a Pre-Feasibility Study — requires adequate M&I component.
- **DFS-Supporting:** Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence.
- **High Recovery:** Recovery at or above the exceptional band for the commodity and processing route.
- **Pilot Scale Complete:** Pilot or demonstration plant testing completed under continuous operation.
- **Free Milling:** Simple, clean ore amenable to standard processing without oxidation.
- **Multi-Domain Tested:** Variability across ore domains (oxide, transition, fresh) has been addressed.
- **Recovery Improving:** Recovery improved versus a like-for-like prior test program on the same domain and route.
- **Low Recovery:** Recovery below the weak band for the commodity and processing route.
- **Bench Scale Only:** Only preliminary bench tests completed — no locked-cycle or pilot work.
- **Refractory Ore:** Complex mineralogy requiring oxidation or other special processing before recovery.
- **Single Domain Only:** Testing limited to one composite or domain — representativeness not established.
- **Recovery Stagnant:** No improvement across multiple test programs on comparable material.
- **Theoretical Recovery Only:** Only theoretical or liberation-derived recovery reported, with no actual test result.
- **Heap Leach Route:** Processing via heap leach — lower CAPEX and OPEX, lower recovery expected.
- **Mill Route:** Processing via mill or concentrator (CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation).
- **Gravity Route:** Gravity separation forms a material part of the flowsheet.
- **POX/BIOX Route:** Pressure or bio-oxidation for refractory ore — high CAPEX and OPEX.
- **Byproduct Commodity:** The tested commodity is a byproduct rather than the primary economic driver.
- **DFS Bankable:** AACE Class 2-1 study complete and within the staleness window.
- **PFS Complete:** AACE Class 3 study complete.
- **PEA Only:** Only Class 4 / Initial Assessment economics available. Not bankable.
- **No Study:** No formal economic study — no engineering basis for the economics quoted.
- **Stale Study:** Beyond the staleness window measured from the estimate base date.
- **Inferred Heavy Feed:** Material Inferred share of LOM mill feed, or the share is undisclosed.
- **Resource Governance Undisclosed:** No QA/QC, top-cut methodology or QP independence disclosed. Caps study quality at the moderate tier.
- **NPV Cut vs Prior Study:** A restated study reduces NPV materially against its own predecessor on the same asset.
- **High IRR:** Post-tax real unlevered IRR in the strong tier or better.
- **Low IRR:** IRR below the moderate tier.
- **Below Jurisdiction Hurdle:** IRR below the greenfield or brownfield hurdle for its jurisdiction tier.
- **IRR Basis Undisclosed:** Real vs nominal not stated, so the tier is not comparable across studies.
- **Undervalued PNAV:** Funding-adjusted P/NAV in the strong tier or better.
- **Overvalued PNAV:** Funding-adjusted P/NAV in the red-flag tier.
- **Fast Payback:** Payback in the strong tier or better, on the required basis.
- **Slow Payback:** Payback in the weak tier or worse.
- **Bottom Quartile Cost:** P0-25 of the relevant commodity cost curve.
- **Top Quartile Cost:** P75-100 of the relevant commodity cost curve — first to cut in a downturn.
- **Cost Basis Undisclosed:** By-product vs co-product not stated, so quartile placement is unreliable.
- **Low Capital Intensity:** Below the benchmark for its project type.
- **High Capital Intensity:** Above the benchmark for its project type.
- **Conservative Pricing:** Conservative on the worst of the spot, 3-year and consensus comparisons.
- **Aggressive Pricing:** The study only works on a stretched price deck.
- **No Price Sensitivity:** No price sensitivity disclosed — treated as a deliberate signal, not a neutral gap.
- **No Discount Rate Sensitivity:** Blocks NPV normalisation to the common rate without reconstruction.
- **Price Deck Unstructured:** Prices given only as free text, so conservatism cannot be scored.
- **Long Reserve Life:** Reserve life index in the top tier of the single ladder.
- **Short Reserve Life:** Reserve life index in the critical tier.
- **Resource Life Upside:** Wide gap between reserve life and resource life — conversion upside rather than discovery dependence.
- **Fully Funded:** Funding coverage at or above 1.0x counting committed facilities only.
- **Material Funding Gap:** Funding coverage below the substantially-funded band.
- **Funding Gap Exceeds Market Cap:** Red flag regardless of headline NPV — the upside is not reachable by the current equity holder.
- **Encumbered by Stream:** An existing stream or royalty reduces attributable NAV and restricts future financing.
- **Stability Agreement:** Fiscal terms fixed, with a term covering the mine life.
- **High Government Take:** Total government take above the regional norm as a share of pre-tax cash flow.
- **Fully Permitted:** Key permits granted with no unresolved challenge.
- **Permit Challenge Outstanding:** An appeal or legal challenge is unresolved, which can defer first production indefinitely.
- **No Community Agreement:** Permits held but no IBA or benefit agreement — the start date is unsupported.
- **Closure Underprovisioned:** Closure provision materially below peers, unfunded, or undisclosed.
- **Upstream TSF:** Upstream tailings construction, which is banned in Brazil and Ecuador.