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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Federal officials have approved a Canadian company's request to do exploratory drilling about 55 miles northeast of Boise to determine if molybdenum, copper and silver exist in sufficient quantities to go forward with an open-pit mine.
The U.S. Forest Service announced Tuesday its approval of Idaho CuMo Mining Corporation's plan that includes building about 10 miles of roads and up to 137 drill pads for up to 259 drill holes.
Boise National Forest Supervisor Cecilia Seesholtz released the decision on a supplemental Environmental Assessment that found no significant impact with the project.
The agency said the company wants to start drilling this fall within about 3,000 acres in the Boise National Forest, but didn't have an exact date.
American CuMo Mining Corporation's headquarters are in Vancouver, British Columbia, and it has an office in Boise. The company didn't return a call from The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The company on its website says samples taken in the area indicate more than 6 billion tons of molybdenum, copper, silver and tungsten that it estimates are worth close to $100 billion. The company said that if approved, the mine during construction would create as many as 5,000 jobs. It also said that the mine would create 1,000 jobs for 100 years during production.
Molybdenum has a variety of uses, but is mainly used as an alloy to make steel, cast iron and other metals stronger and more resistant to corrosion. It also has numerous chemical applications, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Environmental groups have been fighting the proposed mine, contending it will lead to pollution of the Boise River headwaters.
Following a lawsuit, a federal court in 2012 ordered the Forest Service to complete a supplemental Environmental Analysis, which ultimately culminated in the agency approving the exploratory drilling this week.
"This proposed exploratory drilling project has involved extensive environmental reviews and I am pleased we could work with the objectors to resolve many of the issues," Seeholtz said in a statement. "My goal is to work with all parties to make this a viable and environmentally sound exploration project."
John Robison, public lands director for the Idaho Conservation League, said the group is examining its legal options.
"The Forest Service is still not doing its due diligence to protect public water supplies in advance of issuing this decision," he said in a statement.
Idaho Rivers United and Golden Eagle Audubon are also against the project, citing water quality concerns. Golden Eagle Audubon said the area is home to one of the largest known populations of Sacajawea's bitterroot.
"The Forest Service is putting the Boise River at risk by allowing this mineral exploration," Liz Paul of Idaho Rivers United said in a statement.
The Grimes Creek watershed has been damaged by historic dredge mining. The mining company said its plans include off-site mitigation of damage to the area caused by mining in the late 1800s.
The company said it will analyze results of the exploratory drilling and other factors before deciding whether it wants to move forward with mining.
Federal officials say that if the company decides it wants to mine it will have to submit another proposal that will require a separate environmental analysis.
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