Work Begins to Reopen Idaho Mine Following Settlement

A northern Idaho mine could be put back into operation following the settlement of a federal lawsuit against the mine’s owner.

The Spokesman-Review reported a settlement agreement was filed Monday in federal court in Boise that aims to resolve environmental liabilities against the owner of Bunker Hill Mine and ends a counter lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency.

Officials with Bunker Hill Mining Co. are planning to reopen the mine near Kellogg on a limited basis by the end of the year. Officials say large-scale production could be possible in about two years.

The mining company is leasing the lead-zinc-silver property from owner Placer Mining Co.

The mine and smelter closed in 1981 after nearly a century of operations. The smelter was designated a federal Superfund site in 1983.

Topics Pollution