Gov. Rounds Applauds South Dakota Legislature for Supporting Homestake Laboratory Appropriation

Gov. Rounds Applauds South Dakota Legislature for Supporting Homestake Laboratory Appropriation

Gov. Mike Rounds has issued the following statement on the passage of House Bill 1001; An Act to make an appropriation for certain costs associated with a project at the former Homestake Mine in Lead, S.D.

"I want to thank the South Dakota Legislature for appropriating $19.9 million which will trigger the transfer of the Homestake Mine from Barrick Gold Corporation to the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA). We could not have reached this milestone without the hard work of scientists from all over the country; who have shared their passion for science with the citizens of South Dakota. Today is the first day in creating a new tomorrow for the Homestake Mine and for South Dakota…a gold mine for science and South Dakota's future."

The transfer of the Homestake Mine to the SDSTA will happen within 30 days after title work, surveys and plats are done; permits are approved; and the final contract is signed. The $19.9 million appropriation is clear evidence that the SDSTA has the resources to create and operate an underground laboratory 4,850 feet below the earth's surface.

With this appropriation, scientists can start putting the Homestake Laboratory in their experiment funding proposals as soon as ownership transfers.

The governor went on to say: "We will make the Homestake Mine a gold mine once again, but this time it will be a gold mine for science and South Dakota's future."

http://www.state.sd.us/governor/