Libby Exploration Project Completes Federal Permitting

WASHINGTON (July 9, 2026) – The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) is pleased to announce the completion of federal permitting for the Libby Exploration Project. Posted to the FAST-41 Transparency Dashboard in response to Executive Order 14241, the Montana-based project is the 19th mining project to complete federal permitting during the Trump Administration. 

“Congratulations to the U.S. Forest Service and Hecla Mining Company for efficiently completing this project,” said Emily Domenech, Permitting Council Executive Director. “Completing permitting for the Libby Exploration Project will facilitate the development of silver and copper resources critical to national and economic security, and once again shows how the FAST-41 process can speed permitting while maintaining our nation’s best-in-class environmental standards.”

“This is a huge win for Montana,” said Senator Steven Daines (R-MT). “The Libby Exploration Project will provide good-paying Montana mining jobs and will unlock the high value of world-class copper and silver. Thank you to the leadership of Forest Service Chief Schultz and the Permitting Council for prioritizing this important project for the community.”

“The people and miners of Libby know better than anybody that there is a right and wrong way to mine,” said Representative Ryan Zinke (MT-01). “Good mining projects with strong safety and reclamation plans provide good job opportunities and revenue for the local county. The approval of the Libby Exploration Project is good news for Lincoln County, Montana, workers, and our nation's security. I look forward to seeing the benefits this project can bring to the Treasure State.”

“America’s future depends on producing more of the critical minerals that power our economy, strengthen our energy security, and support our national defense,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “President Trump’s commitment to restoring American energy and mineral dominance continues to deliver results for rural communities, and this project is a prime example of how USDA can help responsibly unlock Montana’s world-class mineral resources, supporting good-paying jobs, and strengthening the critical mineral supply chains that keep our nation secure.”

"We are pleased to see the U.S. Forest Service advance the Libby Project, and we are grateful the FAST-41 process helped move this important project forward efficiently," said Rob Krcmarov, President and CEO of Hecla. "This approval represents years of collaboration among federal agencies, local and state officials and other stakeholders. The Libby Project exemplifies our commitment to responsibly developing critical minerals in the United States, delivering long-term economic benefits to our communities, and maintaining rigorous environmental stewardship."

Located 20 aerial miles south of the town of Libby in Lincoln County, Montana near the Cabinet Mountains, this project will conduct underground exploration and evaluation to explore the potential for critical copper and silver mining. 

The Libby Exploration Project is sponsored by Hecla Mining Company. The Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service served as the lead permitting agency. Learn more on the Federal Permitting Dashboard.