Canadian Company Proposes Massive Open-pit Mine in Boise River Headwaters

Canadian-based mining company Idaho Copper is seeking approval from the Forest Service to construct more than 13 miles of new roads and drill 259 holes up to 3,000 feet deep for a mining exploration project.  With this exploration, CuMo Mine Exploration Project, is hoping to find enough copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) to rationalize one of the largest open-pit mines in the world. 

All within the Boise River watershed, the exploration and proposed mine will be within Hunting Unit 39,  one of the most used hunting units in the state boasting quality herd populations. As well, the mine is upstream from one of the nation’s highest quality urban fisheries and source of the Treasure Valley’s drinking and irrigation water.

Image Courtesy U.S. Forest Service

HISTORY: 

If this issue sounds familiar, you won’t be faulted. After a 2011 proposal under a different company  name, in 2012, a federal court ruled that the Forest Service had failed to properly consider potential impacts to groundwater from drilling activities, and the decision was withdrawn. 

Then, in 2015, the mining company (under the new name CuMoCo) resubmitted for permits, but the court determined that the Forest Service had failed to conduct the required baseline environmental study for native and rare plants found in the project zone. 

The decision was once again withdrawn.

CURRENTLY: 

Idaho Copper, encouraged by recent increases in metals prices, the mining company is proposing to restart drilling operations yet again. 

Of greatest concern is whatthe Canadian mining company has planned if they like the results of their exploration phase. Their 2020 Preliminary Economic Analysis shows they would like to dig a 3,500’ deep open pit – one of the largest in the world. An open pit of this size would require an approximately 800’ high and 10,000′ wide storage facility across Clear Creek just south of Charlotte Gulch to hold mine tailings.  

The potential tailing pool of the future open pit mine. Image: National Forest Service.

Anticipated concerns with the newest exploration proposal include transportation of diesel fuel on the narrow riverside and mountain roads, impacts of road construction, and 24/7 drilling operations, which analysis of the project has shown will disrupt wildlife and recreation. The exploration, not to mention the open pit and tailings pool, undoubtedly poses a risk to the Boise River watershed, as a whole, including but not limited to: 

– Disruption to populations of the more than 20 game species open to hunting in Idaho Fish and Game Unit 39.

– Jeopardy of the Boise River fishery downstream of the project; one of the of the nation’s top urban trout fisheries. 

– Habitat disruption of large swaths of connected and renaturalized landscapes 

-The project would require a significant amount of already pressured water resources . “Fresh water supply from surface or ground water will likely be one of the most difficult hurdles to overcome. An estimated 30,000 gpm of fresh water could be required…The project will be located in Basin 65 which includes the entire Boise River Drainage (IDWR, 2018). P. 150.” Preliminary Economic Assessment p. 150

Public comment is open now through June 27th to have your thoughts and/or concerns put on the permanent record for consideration. Comments should ONLY focus on the purpose and effects of the project. This project is a minerals exploration project proposing temporary road construction and drilling operations.