The U.S. Forest Service has given the go-ahead for a gold-mining project in central Idaho. If it receives state permits, the Stibnite Gold Project will be located in the Payette National Forest and become one of the largest gold mines in the country.

The U.S. Forest Service has issued a final record of decision approving the Stibnite Gold Mine Project in Central Idaho’s Payette National Forest, green-lighting what could become one of the largest gold mines in the United States.

The Nez Perce Tribe accused the U.S. Forest Service on Monday of violating its treaty rights by approving a giant, open-pit gold mine in the headwaters of the South Fork of the Salmon River — an area where tribal members have fished for hundreds of generations.

The U.S. Forest Service approved the Perpetua Resources project to re-mine the Stibnite Mining District for several rare elements. Groups responded in opposition.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service approved the Stibnite Gold Project, releasing the final record of decision on Friday.

Perpetua says it can now proceed toward construction of its project in central Idaho, which the company says will be one of the highest-grade open pit gold mines in the