Overview
The Bunker Hill Mine stands as a legendary fixture in American mining history, renowned for its exceptional base metal and silver production. Discovered in 1885, this iconic mine operated for over a century until its closure in 1991. During its remarkable 95-year run, Bunker Hill yielded an impressive 42.77 million tons of ore, boasting average grades of 8.43% lead, 4.52% zinc, and 3.52 ounces of silver per ton.
Historical Significance
The Bunker Hill Mine's impact on the Coeur d'Alene Mining District is profound:
- It accounted for nearly 42% of the district's total lead production
- Contributed 41% of the total zinc output
- Produced 15% of the district's total silver yield
Production Highlights
Throughout its operational history, Bunker Hill showcased remarkable productivity:
- Over 40 distinct mineralized zones were exploited
- 35 million tons of ore concentrate were produced
- A staggering 165 million ounces of silver were extracted
Location
The historic Bunker Hill Mine is located in the world-class Coeur d'Alene Mining District, the Silver Valley, renowned for its rich silver deposits. This strategic location was crucial to the mine's long-standing success and significant contributions to American mineral production.
Historical Context
The Bunker Hill Mine ceased operations in 1981 due to a combination of depressed base metal prices and the need for substantial capital investment to upgrade its facilities to comply with new environmental regulations. Since its closure, the mine has been under care and maintenance. As part of a U.S. Government-led regional environmental remediation effort, the mine's lead smelter and zinc processing plant were completely dismantled, and a government-operated Water Treatment Facility now manages its water discharge.
Revitalization Efforts
In 2020, a new leadership team took the helm, focusing on sustainable development and exploration of Bunker Hill's untapped zinc, silver, and lead resources. This team recognized a unique opportunity to leverage historical geological and production data using modern exploration software, creating new 3D models to identify potential extensions of known mineralized bodies.
Future Prospects
Based on the analysis of historical data, the company believes that the Bunker Hill mine has the potential to be revived as a high-grade zinc-silver-lead operation. Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) and subsequent Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) results indicate that by optimizing existing resources, partnerships, and infrastructure, the mine is projected to restart operations in H1 2025. The renewed Bunker Hill Mine is anticipated to be a low-cost, long-life, and sustainable venture.