Authority to re-open Yates shaft

By Wendy Pitlick, Black Hills Pioneer
Article Source

LEAD - Members of the S.D. Science and Technology Authority will move forward with re-opening the Yates Shaft of the former Homestake Mine, board members decided Wednesday.

During their regular meeting the Authority approved a document that authorizes the start of a design-build process to re-open the shaft sometime in the near future.

In addition to starting the re-opening process, on Thursday members of the Authority hired FourFront Design, of Rapid City, to provide professional design services for the renovation of the Yates building and the Sanford Underground Science and Engineering Lab Administrative Offices. During their meeting, Wednesday, Authority board members stressed the importance of preserving the historical legacy of the former Homestake Mine in those designs.

This process is identical to that which the Authority approved just prior to re-opening the Ross Shaft. While this action does not authorize hiring a contractor, it will get the ball rolling for what will eventually mean dual entry points into the Sanford Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory.

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