Company Intensifying Hunt for Gold in Keystone

KEYSTONE, S.D. (AP) - A Canadian company is intensifying its hunt for gold in the Keystone area.

The Rapid City Journal reports that Mineral Mountain Resources in the coming weeks will release initial results from its exploratory drilling. That could lead to the development of an underground gold mine near Keystone.

The Vancouver, British Columbia-based company is putting together a $4.5 million financial package to fund exploration in the area over the next 12 to 18 months.

People in the Keystone area are already well aware of the work, which goes on 24 hours a day in areas outside town but less frequently in spots nearby.

DENR officials are monitoring the progress and making periodic visits to the site. The exploration drilling follows state stipulations designed to protect water and other natural resources.

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