Why It Matters
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality is accepting public comments on a proposed construction permit for the Bunker Hill Mine in Kellogg, Idaho.
What Happened
DEQ proposes issuing the permit to Silver Valley Metals Corp. for a planned high-grade silver, lead and zinc mining facility in Shoshone County. The project would take over the Bunker Hill Mine and restart underground mining operations.
Operational plans call for mining lead, silver and zinc mineralization underground. The resulting concentrates would be sold to smelters outside the site.
Mill tailings could be placed underground in historic mining voids or stored in a surface dry-stack tailings impoundment. The permit application also seeks approval to increase material throughput and expand the waste-rock area.
DEQ determined the proposed construction and operation would not cause or significantly contribute to a violation of an ambient air-quality standard. The agency also determined the project would not injure or unreasonably affect human or animal life or vegetation.
By the Numbers
- Oct. 27, 2026: Public comment period begins.
- Nov. 30, 2026: Written comments are due by 5 p.m. Mountain Time.
- 1885: Bunker Hill Mine was developed.
- 1981: Mining operations closed.
- 1983: The site became a Superfund site.
Zoom Out
The Bunker Hill Mine underwent staged cleanup through 2016. New management took over facility operations in 2020 and decided to pursue a restart based on studies and analyses.
The proposed facility would mine three metals: silver, lead and zinc. Tailings management would involve either historic underground voids or a dry-stack storage area at the surface.
What’s Next
Draft permit materials are available for public review at DEQ’s State Office and through related documents. Comments may be submitted using the agency’s form, by mail or by email.
Written comments should be submitted to Dianne Hobbs by Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. Mountain Time. The DEQ State Office and mailing address is 1410 N. Hilton St., Boise, Idaho 83706. Zach Pierce is the technical assistance contact and can be reached at (208) 373-0283.
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