DEQ seeks comment on draft permit to construct for Silver Valley Metals Corp.

Accepting comments from August 5, 2025, through September 4, 2025.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks comment on a draft permit to construct for the Silver Valley Metals Corp.

Silver Valley Metals Corp., a subsidiary of Bunker Hill Mining Corp. is located in Shoshone County, Idaho. The Bunker Hill Mine operated from 1885 to 1981 and became a Superfund site in 1983. Cleanup proceeded in stages through 2016 and in 2020, new management took over. The company is now proposing to restart as a high-grade silver mine.

The proposed plans include a high-grade silver, lead, and zinc mining facility with underground mining, surface milling, concentration and filtration facilities. Metal-rich concentrates will be sold to offsite smelters and mill tailings will either be deposited underground in the historic mining voids or stored in a surface dry stack tailings impoundment.

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. Based on this analysis, DEQ proposes to issue the permit to construct.

Written comments will be accepted through September 4, 2025, at 5 p.m. Pacific Time. Submit comments electronically using the form below or by mail or email to:  

Aaron Hoberg
1410 N. Hilton St.
Boise, ID 83706
Aaron.Hoberg@deq.idaho.gov

Related Documents

Permit and supporting 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/.