|
|
Posted by Sherman in Idaho [72.47.9.37] on Wednesday, November 07, 2012 at 23:24:26 :
In Reply to: Lucky Friday posted by Jerry in Idaho [69.59.83.175] on Wednesday, November 07, 2012 at 21:43:03 :
We could have at least three mines that size here if the EPA would get out of the way. The Bunker Hill is the other half of the Lucky Friday ore body, shifted 30 miles west by the Osburn fault. The famous Sunshine, likely the richest silver mine in the world, languishes partly because they can't go below 3000 without draining the Bunker Hill.
Yes, it's good the Friday is hiring again. If silver holds up there will be smiles in the old mining camp next year. There aren't many mines that could survive a one-year shutdown, but thankfully Hecla is well-run and had cash in the bank plus revenue from other mines. I just wish we could get some of the others going again. The ore is down there, but you need hundreds of millions of dollars to play that game these days, and the permitting process will bleed you dry. Look what Revett Minerals has been going through trying to start their Rock Creek mine. Every time they have a plan and get it approved by all the relevant agencies, the environmentalists haul them back into court and get a judge to require something more.