THE STIBNITE GOLD-ANTIMONY PROJECT IDAHO: ISSUES, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN REDEVELOPMENT OF A MAJOR WWII-ERA CRITICAL MINERALS PRODUCTION SITE (Invited Presentation)

The mining industry, state and federal regulatory agencies, and many other stakeholders including the legislative and executive branches of government have placed increased emphasis on clean up of abandoned mined land (AML) sites and more efficient and less environmentally impactive recovery of metals and critical raw materials for use in downstream manufacturing. Much of the focus is on generation of “clean, low carbon footprint energy” citing recycling and/or recovery of the necessary raw materials for such systems via cleanup of AML sites. While legacy, orphaned sites containing valuable materials are widespread, and the opportunities potentially important, implementation of projects using those concepts are not without associated issues and challenges. While they may sound noble and make great “carbon-friendly” newsprint, the practicalities of implementation of such strategies does not come without jumping across a few hurdles – some at times more like tank traps. Challenges vary from site to site but typically can include obstacles arising from interaction of legal and regulatory aspects (CERCLA, CWA, RCRA, ESA); engineering and environmental (site access, waste and water management and treatment, beneficiation, and metallurgy); cultural (social license, competing local community or tribal resource issues); economic (capital and operating costs and recovery of such costs for wannabe good Samaritans); and practicability. The Stibnite Gold-Antimony Project, located in central Idaho is such a site. Extensive environmental and ecological impacts inherited from the WWII-era, when the site was the largest producer of tungsten and antimony for the U.S. war effort have left the former production sites and surrounding area heavily impacted. A mine development plan focused on restoration as an integral part of the redevelopment, operations and closure plans has been developed with implementation of pre-permit efforts at restoration already underway. The Project provides an opportunity to demonstrate that the mining industry can take on these legacy sites, apply their financial and technical strengths, address environmental concerns, repair ecosystems, provide needed critical minerals, provide jobs and a stable tax base and be an inspiration for others to redevelop additional brownfields sites.