Company board chairman Rudi Fronk said the Oregon Water Resource Department (OWRD) reviewed and approved its plans and specifications on the plans it submitted in November 2019, which had included drawings, field data, lab testing details and a safety analysis.

With the approval of the design completed by Golder, Grassy Mountain is now construction ready.

"Considering the project's remote geographic location, low population density, arid nature with no rivers or permanent streams in close proximity, seismic analysis and all other data compiled, OWRD has rated the dam as low hazard, its lowest risk level," paramount said.

The approval is valid for five years, Paramount added, and extensions can be obtained if needed. In the meantime, it continues its work with other officials from the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) as it moves toward production.

Paramount Gold Nevada owns 100% of Grassy Mountain in Malheur County, near the Snake River Plain. The company also owns the Sleeper gold project located in northern Nevada.