"Another article I quoted last night was dated January 5, 2011 and stated that Bell Copper would need drilling permits to do further exploration and that it could take 3 years to get those permits."

Prospekt, you're getting the drilling permits mixed up with the mining permits.

Applications for the various permits required to conduct a diamond drilling program and selection of a diamond drill contractor are expected to commence immediately.

ADEQ (EPA) permits will be required to mine. Bell expects the permitting process to take three years.