Inclusion in Federal FAST-41 Program Increases Visibility and Streamlines Federal Permitting at Paramount Gold Nevada’s Grassy Mountain Gold Project

 4 minute read - Published 09:45 AM EST,  Monday,  June 16, 2025

This article was authored by witan nook. for Paramount Gold Nevada

Paramount Gold Nevada Corp., a U.S.-based precious metals exploration and development company, has made significant strides in advancing its flagship Grassy Mountain Gold Project in Malheur County, Oregon towards becoming the state’s first modern-day gold mine. The company recently achieved key permitting milestones and was included in the US federal government’s FAST-41 program, a move that underscores the project’s strategic importance and is expected to streamline its path to production. These developments mark a pivotal moment for Paramount as it navigates the complex regulatory landscape of mining in the United States, balancing environmental responsibility with economic potential.

Memo announcing the inclusion of additional mining projects, including Grassy Mountain | The White House

Grassy Mountain: A High-Grade Prospect

The Grassy Mountain gold project, wholly owned by Paramount, spans approximately 8,200 acres of private and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. The project hosts a high-grade gold-silver deposit, with a positive S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Feasibility Study released in 2022, highlighting its potential as a high-grade underground mine. The study outlined robust economics, including estimated initial production of 47,000 ounces of gold and 55,000 ounces of silver annually over an 8-year mine life, with a net present value (NPV) of $114.1 million at a 5% discount rate, based on a gold price of $1,750 per ounce. With gold prices recently establishing record highs above $3,350 per ounce, the project’s economic prospects have strengthened considerably.

Permitting Milestones: A Step Toward Production

In March 2025, Paramount achieved a critical milestone when Oregon state agencies unanimously approved the Best Available, Practicable, and Necessary Technologies (BAPNT) for Grassy Mountain’s mining, processing, and closure plans. This approval, granted during a public meeting of the Technical Review Team (TRT) led by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), validated Paramount’s project design as environmentally responsible and efficient, which sets a major precedent for mining in the State. The BAPNT designation covers underground mining with backfilling, a milling circuit with enclosed cyanide and carbon-in-leach recovery, cyanide destruction, and a tailings storage facility with robust reclamation and closure plans. Additional measures were incorporated into water and mine monitoring plans to enhance environmental safeguards, addressing concerns about wildlife and water resources.

The approval builds on earlier successes, including the completion of the Environmental Evaluation (EE) in October of 2024, by Stantec, an internationally recognized engineering, architecture and environmental consulting firm. The EE, a cornerstone of the state permitting process, assessed and ranked all significant processes and alternatives for Grassy Mountain, ensuring compliance with Oregon’s stringent environmental standards. Paramount achieved key milestones with the approval of critical Baseline Data Reports (BDRs) related to groundwater and geochemistry and the BLM confirmed the Plan of Operations as complete. These accomplishments support Paramount’s ongoing progress and reflect its commitment to advancing its permitting efforts towards a Record of Decision and receipt of final permits.

The Grassy Mountain project’s S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Feasibility Study | Paramount Gold Nevada

FAST-41 Inclusion: A Federal Boost

On May 5, 2025, Paramount announced that Grassy Mountain had been selected for inclusion in the US federal government’s FAST-41 program, a designation that enhances the project’s visibility and streamlines its federal permitting process. Established under Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act of 2015, the FAST-41 program, administered by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, aims to improve transparency, predictability, and coordination for major infrastructure projects, including mining. The program does not alter environmental regulations or public comment requirements but provides comprehensive permitting timetables and tracks progress on the Federal Permitting Dashboard, reducing bureaucratic delays that can extend permitting processes. 

The inclusion of Grassy Mountain in FAST-41 aligns with the Trump administration’s push to accelerate domestic critical mineral production, as outlined in Executive Order 14241, issued on March 20, 2025. The order emphasizes reducing reliance on foreign minerals, particularly from geopolitical competitors, to bolster national security and economic resilience. Although gold is not currently classified as a critical mineral, gold along with uranium, potash and copper were mentioned in the executive order, likely due to its economic significance. Paramount’s advanced permitting status likely contributed to the Grassy Mountain project’s inclusion. The project joins 24 other high-profile mining initiatives, such as Rio Tinto’s Resolution Copper Project and Perpetua Resources’ Stibnite Gold Project, on the FAST-41 transparency list, signalling federal recognition of its potential to contribute to domestic resource development.

Manisha Patel, Acting Executive Director of the Permitting Council, highlighted the program’s benefits: “The transparency that these projects receive as a result of being featured on the Federal Permitting Dashboard will be transformative, allowing stakeholders across government and industry the ability to track the progress of these projects, ensuring a level of accountability in environmental review that is often missing from the traditional process.” For Paramount, FAST-41 inclusion means enhanced coordination among federal agencies, including the BLM and increased public visibility into the permitting timeline, which could expedite final approvals.

Executive Order 14241 - Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production | The White House

Balancing Opportunity and Challenges

The FAST-41 designation and state permitting advancements position Grassy Mountain as a frontrunner among U.S. mining projects. The project’s location on both private and federal land mitigates some regulatory hurdles, as private land operations face fewer federal restrictions. However, Paramount will continue to engage with local communities and tribal governments to maintain its social license, a critical factor for the project's success. The company’s proactive approach to environmental stewardship, as evidenced by its BAPNT approval, suggests a commitment to balancing economic goals with community and ecological considerations.

Looking Ahead

With key permitting wins and FAST-41 status secured, Paramount Gold Nevada is accelerating the path to production for the Grassy Mountain gold project. Coupled with strong gold prices, the Company

is in prime position to unlock significant value, turning Grassy Mountain into a standout opportunity in the U.S gold sector.

Beyond Grassy Mountain, Paramount holds a 100% interest in two other projects in Nevada: The Sleeper Gold Project, which hosts a gold deposit of over 3 million ounces; and the drill-ready greenfields Bald Peak Project. These assets diversify the company’s portfolio, while Grassy Mountain remains the cornerstone to its near-term value strategy. Paramount’s success in unlocking the value of this high-grade gold asset hinges on its ability to execute on permitting, secure financing, and maintain stakeholder trust.

This article was authored by witan nook. and paid for by Paramount Gold Nevada in American dollars