The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality is accepting public comments on a draft permit to construct for Silver Valley Metals Corp.’s Bunker Hill Mine facility in Kellogg.
The comment period begins Oct. 27 and closes at 5 p.m. Mountain Time on Nov. 30, 2026. Comments may be submitted through an online form, by mail or by email. Technical assistance is available from Zach Pierce at (208) 373-0283.
Proposed Mining Operations
Silver Valley Metals Corp. plans to restart underground mining of high-grade silver, lead and zinc mineralization at the Shoshone County site. The company proposes selling metal concentrates to smelters located offsite.
The draft permit addresses a proposed increase in material throughput and an expansion of the waste-rock area. Tailings could be placed in historic underground mine openings or managed in a surface dry-stack tailings impoundment.
DEQ determined that the proposed construction and operations would not cause or materially contribute to violations of ambient air-quality standards. The agency also found the project would not injure or unreasonably affect people, animals or vegetation.
Mine History
The Bunker Hill Mine was developed in 1885 and closed in 1981. It was designated a Superfund site in 1983, and cleanup work proceeded in stages through 2016. New management assumed facility operations in 2020.
Written comments may be mailed to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality State Office, 1410 N. Hilton St., Boise, ID 83706. DEQ has also made permit materials and accessibility services information available with the public notice.
Tags: Kellogg, Shoshone County, mining