A controversial project to probe under the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness for a potential copper and silver mine has been approved by the U.S. Forest Service.

The Libby Exploratory Project was proposed by mining company Hecla, after it acquired the claim previously known as the Montanore Mine. The Idaho-based company estimates up to 1.5 billion pounds of copper and 183 million ounces of silver could lay underneath an area about 20 miles south of Libby.

A final environmental assessment finding of “no significant impact” from the project was released by the Kootenai National Forest on Oct. 3. In a press release Monday, Hecla officials praised the decision to green-light the project.

“The Libby Project exemplifies our commitment to responsibly developing critical minerals in the United States

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