Idaho Copper Corporation seeks the green light for mining exploration project

Local conservation groups are speaking out against a mining exploration project proposal in the headwaters of the Boise River. 

Idaho Copper Corporation is currently seeking the green light from the U.S. Forest Service for a project that would involve the construction of up to eight miles of new roads and the clearing of 122 drill pads within National Forest lands near Grimes Creek.

Through this project, called the CuMo Mine Exploration Project, Idaho Copper hopes to find sufficient copper and molybdenum to excavate one of the largest open-pit accessible molybdenum mines in the world — all within the Boise River watershed.

Andrew Brodkey, CFO of Idaho Copper Corporation, emphasized that their current objective is not mine construction, but rather the completion of exploration, drilling and related tasks to gain a clear understanding of the deposit’s characteristics.

“No one’s proposing to build a mine today,” he stated. “We’re just asking to complete our exploration.”

“The science will determine whether a project should proceed or not proceed — not getting people afraid with alarmist headlines,” Brodkey said. “If our project shows that we can build a project and protect the environment at the same time, then our project should and will move ahead. But today, we’re not asking for a referendum on the mine itself.”

According to John Robinson, public lands director with the Idaho Conservation League, when the CuMo exploration plan was previously proposed, it received substantial interest and involvement from a wide range of stakeholders. This included property owners in Boise County, outdoor enthusiasts who enjoyed the Boise River and members of the Payette River guiding community.

“Not many people are aware of this latest proposal,” he noted.

In 2012, a federal court rejected the project due to the Forest Service’s failure to adequately assess the risks associated with extensive underground drilling, which could potentially contaminate groundwater. In 2016, the court once again rejected the project, citing concerns related to its impact on Sacajawea’s bitterroot, a rare and delicate plant species.

According to Robinson, just the exploration alone poses threats to Idaho’s water quality, recreation, traffic, public safety and wildlife.

“The Boise River Watershed really is the lifeblood of the Treasure Valley, and clean water for our communities is going to be far more important in the coming decades,” he said. “We need to be very cautious and skeptical about open pit mine proposals, because they have such a track record of contaminating water supplies that were not properly managed.”

Robinson pointed out that old mining methods can lead to pollution and unexpected issues for local communities. He stressed the importance of taking a more protective approach, especially when it comes to critical issues like water quality. 

“The Boise River watershed is the last place that we want to convert to an industrial open pit mine landscape,” he said. “We really need folks to learn more about this proposal, encourage them to participate and help the Forest Service come up with ideas to avoid, minimize and mitigate the impacts.”