Mining

Idaho has a long history of mining and is home to many mines, both old and new. Many of the mines in Idaho have left a legacy of polluted streams and barren landscapes. Indeed, many Idaho mines sites are so contaminated that they are listed by the federal government as “superfund sites” and are immediate threats to both human health and the environment.

The Idaho Conservation League wants to protect water quality and human health. So we scrutinize proposed new mines, improving those that are acceptable and fighting those that are not in Idaho’s best interest.

Our Current Priorities

• Stopping the Atlanta Gold Mine. A Canadian mining company, Atlanta Gold, wants to build a mine in the headwaters of the Boise River, which provides 20% of Boise's water supply.

• Protecting Idaho children from mercury poisoning. Huge gold-processing facilities in Nevada emit toxic mercury into the air, where it drifts over southern Idaho, settles into our waterways and makes Idaho fish unsafe to eat.

• Cleaning up toxic messes. In the phosphate-mining region of Southeast Idaho, a byproduct called selenium has contaminated the water and soil, killing livestock and poisoning fisheries. Those responsible must clean this area up before building new mines.
• Making sure laws are followed. Laws like the Clean Water Act are designed to protect our families from water pollution. So ICL ensures certain agencies and mining companies follow the law.
• Modernizing antiquated laws. Mining on public land is managed under the 1872 Mining Law, which has never seen major reforms. ICL is making sure Idaho always has clean water, healthy ecosystems and vibrant wildlife.

Mining can have a bright future in Idaho, but not at the expense of our clean water, our health or our communities.