The state of Idaho has aligned its permitting timelines with the US federal Fast-41 framework, signalling a shift towards more coordinated mine approvals in the US, reports project developer Liberty Gold.

The move integrates state-level permitting into the federal Fast-41 process – a framework designed to improve the efficiency, transparency and predictability of approvals for major infrastructure projects – and positions Liberty's Black Pine as the first US precious metals project to benefit from a fully aligned state and federal review schedule.

“Streamlining Idaho’s permitting process for major mining projects like the Black Pine oxide gold project in southern Idaho is about cutting unnecessary red tape while maintaining strong standards,” Idaho Governor Brad Little said, adding that alignment with federal timelines would eliminate duplication, reduce costs and improve investment certainty.

Liberty Gold president and CEO Jon Gilligan said the development was a “significant advancement” in the US permitting landscape, noting that the coordinated approach enhanced visibility and reduced regulatory risk as the project progresses.

Black Pine was accepted into the Fast-41 programme in January as only the fourth precious metals mining project to receive “covered project” status. Idaho’s subsequent decision to formally align its permitting processes follows a February agreement to synchronise state agency reviews with federal timelines and incorporate them into the federal permitting dashboard.

The integrated framework allows state and federal agencies to operate under a single, transparent schedule linked to the National Environmental Policy Act review process, improving coordination and reducing delays typically associated with overlapping approvals.

Liberty Gold said the project had now entered a structured 60-day coordination period with participating agencies to refine its environmental review timetable, after which an updated permitting schedule would be published.

Located in southern Idaho, Black Pine is one of the largest undeveloped oxide gold projects in the Great basin and benefits from established infrastructure and a sizeable mineral endowment. The company is advancing the project through feasibility studies, environmental baseline work and permitting under the Fast-41 framework.