Accepting comments from October 27, 2026, through November 30, 2026.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks comment on a draft permit to construct for Silver Valley Metals Corp. – Bunker Hill Mine in Kellogg, Idaho.
The Silver Valley Metals Corp. is planning to open a high-grade silver, lead, and zinc mining facility in Shoshone County, Idaho. The planned facility will take over Bunker Hill Mine, which developed in 1885 and closed in 1981. The site became a Superfund site in 1983, and cleanup proceeded in stages through 2016. In 2020, new management took over operations of the facility and based on several studies and analyses, decided to restart mining operations.
Operational plans for the mine consider a processing approach where lead, silver, and zinc mineralization will be mined underground. Metal rich concentrates will be sold to offsite smelters. Mill tailings will either be deposited underground in the historic mining voids located throughout the project or stored in a surface dry stack tailings impoundment. The applicant is seeking permit to construct to increase material throughput and expand the waste rock area.
DEQ has determined that construction and operation according to the proposed permit will not cause or significantly contribute to a violation of any ambient air quality standard and will not injure or unreasonably affect human or animal life or vegetation. DEQ has reviewed the application and completed an analysis of the information submitted by the applicant to include the expansion of waste rock area and increased material throughput to the original application. Based on this analysis, DEQ proposes to issue the permit to construct to Silver Valley Metals Corporation – Bunker Hill Mine at Kellogg.
The draft permit materials are available for public review at DEQ’s State Office (1410 N. Hilton St.) and below in related documents. Written comments on the draft permit and supporting materials will be accepted through November 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. MT. Submit comments using the form below or via mail or email to:
Dianne Hobbs
1410 N. Hilton St.
Boise, ID 83706
dianne.hobbs@deq.idaho.gov
For technical assistance on questions concerning this project or the permitting process, contact Zach Pierce at (208) 373-0283 or zach.pierce@deq.idaho.gov.
Related Documents
Permit Materials
Accessibility Services: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will provide reasonable language access services and/or disability services for documents at no charge. To request an accommodation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Americans with Disabilities Act, contact DEQ’s nondiscrimination coordinator at (208) 373-0271 or accessibility@deq.idaho.gov. Para obtener información en español, visite https://www.deq.idaho.gov/about-us/accessibility/.
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DEQ seeks comment on draft permit to construct for Silver Valley Metals Corp. – Bunker Hill Mine Kellogg, Idaho
Accepting comments from October 27, 2026, through November 30, 2026.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks comment on a draft permit to construct for Silver Valley Metals Corp. – Bunker Hill Mine in Kellogg, Idaho.
The Silver Valley Metals Corp. is planning to open a high-grade silver, lead, and zinc mining facility in Shoshone County, Idaho. The planned facility will take over Bunker Hill Mine, which developed in 1885 and closed in 1981. The site became a Superfund site in 1983, and cleanup proceeded in stages through 2016. In 2020, new management took over operations of the facility and based on several studies and analyses, decided to restart mining operations.
Operational plans for the mine consider a processing approach where lead, silver, and zinc mineralization will be mined underground. Metal rich concentrates will be sold to offsite smelters. Mill tailings will either be deposited underground in the historic mining voids located throughout the project or stored in a surface dry stack tailings impoundment. The applicant is seeking permit to construct to increase material throughput and expand the waste rock area.
DEQ has determined that construction and operation according to the proposed permit will not cause or significantly contribute to a violation of any ambient air quality standard and will not injure or unreasonably affect human or animal life or vegetation. DEQ has reviewed the application and completed an analysis of the information submitted by the applicant to include the expansion of waste rock area and increased material throughput to the original application. Based on this analysis, DEQ proposes to issue the permit to construct to Silver Valley Metals Corporation – Bunker Hill Mine at Kellogg.
The draft permit materials are available for public review at DEQ’s State Office (1410 N. Hilton St.) and below in related documents. Written comments on the draft permit and supporting materials will be accepted through November 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. MT. Submit comments using the form below or via mail or email to:
Dianne Hobbs
1410 N. Hilton St.
Boise, ID 83706
dianne.hobbs@deq.idaho.gov
For technical assistance on questions concerning this project or the permitting process, contact Zach Pierce at (208) 373-0283 or zach.pierce@deq.idaho.gov.
Related Documents
Permit Materials
Accessibility Services: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will provide reasonable language access services and/or disability services for documents at no charge. To request an accommodation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Americans with Disabilities Act, contact DEQ’s nondiscrimination coordinator at (208) 373-0271 or accessibility@deq.idaho.gov. Para obtener información en español, visite https://www.deq.idaho.gov/about-us/accessibility/.
Public Comment Form