Integra on accelerated federal permitting path for DeLamar
Canadian miner Integra Resources has secured a clearly defined and accelerated federal permitting schedule for its DeLamar heap leach gold/silver project in Idaho, US, materially reducing regulatory uncertainty and positioning the project for a potential construction decision by 2027.
The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has formally established a National Environmental Policy Act (Nepa) permitting schedule for the DeLamar project. Under the schedule, a notice of intent is expected in the second quarter of 2026, followed by a 15-month Nepa review period, with an environmental-impact statement and record of decision targeted for the third quarter of 2027.
Integra said the timeline was materially shorter than previously contemplated permitting scenarios and represented a significant step forward in advancing DeLamar toward a build-ready profile.
The permitting milestone follows the release of a feasibility study late last year that confirmed robust economics for a large-scale openpit oxide heap leach operation, strengthening the project’s development credentials at a time of elevated gold and silver prices.
“The establishment of a BLM-defined federal permitting timeline marks a transformational milestone for both DeLamar and Integra,” said president, CEO and director George Salamis.
“For the first time, the project has a clear, accelerated, and fact-based pathway through the Nepa process, materially reducing one of the most significant barriers to mine development in the United States. This schedule is meaningfully shorter than previously anticipated and substantially improves project certainty, capital efficiency, and time-to-value for our shareholders.”
Salamis added that, when combined with the feasibility study, the milestone positioned DeLamar among the most advanced precious metals development projects in the US.
“With strong economics, early free cash flow potential, and a defined federal permitting runway, we believe DeLamar is approaching a build-ready profile and is well positioned to deliver long-term value in a constructive gold and silver market environment,” he said.
The DeLamar project, which includes the DeLamar and Florida Mountain deposits in south-west Idaho, has benefited from nearly a decade of environmental baseline data collection, engineering studies and mine planning. Integra said this work had prepared the project for rigorous environmental review and enabled a more efficient permitting process.
Once the notice of intent is published in the federal register, the BLM will commence public scoping, engaging government agencies, Tribal Nations and local communities to identify issues and inform the development of project alternatives and mitigation measures. The Nepa process is expected to culminate in the identification of a preferred alternative and associated mitigation requirements, including continued engagement with Tribal Nations and the establishment of a Programmatic Agreement.
While the environmental-impact statement is under review, Integra plans to advance other federal and state permits required for construction, including groundwater protection, wastewater discharge, cyanidation, air quality and Clean Water Act approvals, as well as finalising a reclamation plan supported by financial assurance.
The 2025 feasibility study outlines a ten-year mine life producing 1.1-million ounces of gold equivalent at an all-in sustaining cost of $1 480/oz. At base-case prices, the project delivers an after-tax net present value of $774-million and an internal rate of return of 46%, rising to $1.7-billion and 89%, respectively, at recent metal prices.
Integra currently operates the Florida Canyon mine in Nevada and is advancing DeLamar and its Nevada North project as part of its broader growth strategy in the Great Basin region of the US.
