Rapid City mining company Pete Lien & Sons will end exploratory drilling at the Rochford Mineral project at Pe' Sla, in the Black Hills, South Dakota, a sacred Sioux site.
The decision follows widespread public opposition and weeks of protests by indigenous advocacy group NDN Collective and nine native American tribes, culminating in a week-long occupation of two active drill pads.
In 2016, parts of the Pe' Sla that had been purchased by tribes were placed in federal trust for protection and cultural use. But NDA alleged that drilling had started at pads within an agreed two-mile buffer zone, without an environmental review.
After multiple lawsuits and a temporary restraining order, Brian Tideman, Pete Lien & Sons' COO wrote informing the United Sates Forest Service of the company's "wishes to withdraw the plan of operations for the Rochford Mineral Exploration Project".
In a letter dated 7 May 2026, Tideman said the company does not intend to apply for another CE or file for another Plan of Operations for drilling at the site.
Pe' Sla is sacred to the Lakota, which has used the high mountain prairie for thousands of years for prayer, ceremony, and ritual and cultural activities.
"Today's successful protection of Pe' Sla, which is the result of courageous land defence by the community, strategic legal action, and collective prayer, marks a great victory for the people and Mother Earth," said Wizipan Garriott, president of NDN Collective. "We must build on this win to continue the people's work to secure a bright future for generations to come – in the Black Hills and beyond."
Pete Lien & Sons began exploratory drilling for graphite in April at drill pad 8, in a proposed 1000 feet drilling campaign, requiring 18 drill pads and a mile of new road, and two staging/storage areas.
