Perpetua Resources begins investment in water quality improvements

“We did not cause the contamination that has worsened water quality in the historic Stibnite Mining District for decades, but we are part of the solution,” said Laurel Sayer, CEO of Perpetua Resources. “Today, we put our commitments into action and are demonstrating that when we work together, big ideas can become reality. We are grateful for the coordination of our state and federal agencies who helped shape this visionary solution to revive this historic mine site. We are proud to bring much needed stewardship to Idaho’s headwaters.”

Perpetua worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for more than three years to receive permission to conduct time critical, early action clean-up activities. After consultation with other interested parties, including the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Perpetua Resources, the EPA and USDA signed an administrative settlement agreement and order on consent (the agreement) in 2021 paving the way for Perpetua to address legacy issues in key areas of the Stibnite district.

“Idaho’s natural resources can contribute a steady domestic supply of the materials we need to advance our economy,” added Idaho Governor Brad Little. “At the same time, clean-up projects like you see here at Stibnite are a critical part of the future of responsible mining in Idaho. Idaho has a rich history of collaborative work that balances economic prosperity with environmental stewardship. Perpetua Resources is another great example of this responsible balance, and I applaud their efforts to work with the respective agencies to make cleaning up the historic Stibnite mine site a reality.”

“I was pleased to see the EPA and USDA sign an agreement granting Perpetua Resources permission to voluntarily clean up key areas by the historical Stibnite mine site,” commented Idaho Congressman, Mike Simpson. “These time critical actions are long overdue and will focus on addressing the most immediate needs to improve water quality. This work proves that Perpetua is committed to leaving the abandoned mine site better than they found it. It is an important day for Idaho, we are all grateful to Perpetua for taking on this work.”

“Water is one of Idaho’s most treasured resources,” remarked Idaho Congressman, Russ Fulcher. “Today’s announcement by Perpetua Resources shows the company shares this belief. By improving water quality in the historic Stibnite mining district through voluntary clean-up activities, Perpetua is showing the way for collaborative mining into the future.”

The groundbreaking ceremony involved 60 participants, including the Director of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Jess Byrne, Kimberly Glineski from the Idaho Department of Commerce, Mayor of Cascade Judy Nissula, residents of the Village of Yellow Pine, IMCO Construction CEO Tyler Kimberley, President and CEO of Perpetua Resources, Laurel Sayer, and many others.

On the behalf of Idaho Congressman, Russ Fulcher, Cascade Mayor, Judy Nissula, presented Laurel Sayer with an American flag flown over the US Capitol Building to commemorate the historic moment.

Early action, voluntary environmental improvements

Mining in the historic Stibnite Mining District first started in 1899. Stibnite then gained national significance during World War II when the US government commissioned antimony and tungsten production from the site to help with the war effort. In fact, Stibnite produced the majority of both minerals used by the US during World War II and the US Munitions Board credited the mine for shortening World War II by a year and saving a million American lives.

Unfortunately, most of the mining that occurred at Stibnite took place long before modern protections and regulations were established. As a result, the site was never fully reclaimed. Today, 10.5 million t of unlined tailings and waste leach arsenic and antimony into ground and surface water, the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River flows into an abandoned mining pit and habitat conditions are degraded. Perpetua Resources has proposed a redevelopment plan to mine the site for gold and the critical mineral antimony, while concurrently restoring the environment.

While the Stibnite Gold Project is currently under regulatory review, early clean-up actions are starting now. Perpetua, the EPA and the U.S. Forest Service have worked together to develop a detailed scope of work for Phase One clean-up activities since signing the Agreement in early 2021. IMCO Construction was selected to oversee water quality improvements taking place this summer which will include:

• Lining, improving and rerouting stream channels on site to keep clean water from interacting with old waste dumps on site.
• Removing the Defense Minerals Exploration Administration legacy waste rock dump from within and along a tributary to the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River and restoring the original streamflow course.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/environment-sustainability/14072022/perpetua-resources-begins-investment-in-water-quality-improvements/