Dakota reopens Stibnite mine

The Stibnite gold mine in Idaho has resumed operation, following approval from the National Marine Fisheries Service (N.M.F.S.).

The open-pit, heap-leach operation is owned by Dakota Mining (TSE), which was forced to suspend mining at the end of the 1992 season, shortly after the Chinook salmon was placed on the endangered species list.

Since that time, Dakota has studied alternative mining plans for the Stibnite mine so as not to disturb fish habitat. The studies were carried out with the co-operation of the N.M.F.S., the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Idaho government.

Few changes were made to the actual mining plan, although specific precautions, including a water-monitoring program, are being taken to prevent sediment from draining into the south fork of the Salmon River.

The company was also required to obtain a cyanide use permit from Idaho and a road use permit from the Forest Service.

The company has agreed to reclaim a potential Superfund site on the Stibnite mine property. The site consists of tail-ings from an old U.S. government tungsten operation. The US$1.2-million cost for the cleanup will be shared by Dakota and other potentially responsible parties.

The reopening is expected to add 31,000 oz. gold to Dakota’s annual production, raising total output to 55,000 oz. in 1995.