Permit allows Northern Dynasty to work in the area for the next 12 months, but it includes requirements for state inspections, as well as an unprecedented $2 million guarantee as back stop for exploration clean-up.
Trevali keeps its eye on being THE "pure play" solution as it moves toward closing the agreement with Glencore International to acquire the Rosh Pinah and Perkoa zinc mines.
In addition to raising costs for miners and delaying certain projects, the focus on the amount of water used by the extraction industry in the region will boost social pressure and anti-mining sentiment, experts say.