Mission

Fly with Idaho media over the Stibnite mine that is set to reopen operations, greatly threatening the South Fork Salmon and regional public health.

The mining company, Perpetua Resources, has proposed reopening two existing pits at the Stibnite gold mine, along with creating a third pit for a gold and antimony mining project. The project will affect over 3,000 acres, 75% of which are public lands, and will massively disrupt the currently pristine ecosystem. Three open pits will be mined, a tailings dam will be constructed and the healthy stream of Meadow Creek will be filled with around 100 million tons of toxic wastes. Roads will be constructed and mining contaminates will infect groundwater to such an extent that a water treatment facility will have to be created. The project is located in the South Fork Salmon River headwaters which sustains chinook, steelhead, westslope cutthroat trout, and bull trout.

There is strong community, Tribal, and NGO advocacy to stop the Stibnite mine and protect the South Fork Salmon. Following a legal complaint by EcoFlight’s partners at Save the South Fork Salmon, Idaho Rivers United, and the Idaho Conservation League, the Forest Service has withdrawn approval of the Burntlog Geophysical Investigations Project.

The air quality permit has also been rescinded for the Stibnite Gold Project, due to a similar appeal brought by the Nez Perce and NGO partners. The Idaho Board of Environmental Quality revoked the permit for the massive amounts of arsenic-laden dust that would be emmited - in quantities that exceed state law limits that are designed to minimize exposure to carcinogens.

 

September 6, 2024, the Forest Service released a Final Environmental Impact and Draft Record of Decision for the Stibnite Gold Project.

This draft decision comes against the voices of thousands of Idahoans and citizens opposing the mine and its threats to clean air, water, Tribal lands, and healthy fish habitat.

Click for photos from the flight, geo-referenced photos (download and open in Google Earth), and GOPRO FOOTAGE!