Published on April 4, 2018
Midas Gold Idaho wants to keep the community informed about the work we are doing at the Stibnite Gold Project site. The Ask Midas blog series gives the experts in our company a chance to answer some of the community’s most frequently asked questions and help clear up any misconceptions around the project.
The Stibnite Gold Project sits near the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River. This river is in desperate need of repair and is one of our main focuses during restoration. When people hear about our project, they often ask me if mining can really be used to help the environment. The simple answer is yes. This week, I get to explain how our project will allow us to rehabilitate the river and other waterways on site.
CAN MIDAS GOLD FIX THE EAST FORK OF THE SOUTH FORK OF THE SALMON RIVER?
Yes, we have the right team and plan in place to fix the problems left behind by historical mining operations. Our Stibnite Gold Project was designed to use mining as a tool for restoration. Our plan will allow us to enhance almost 13-miles of the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River and tributaries leading into it. We will be able to return historically significant Chinook salmon to their native spawning grounds for the first time in 80 years. We will reprocess tailings and reuse and properly store the spent ore that has been left in the area in order to prevent the leaching of any more metals from these rocks. And the best part is, many of these solutions will happen very early in the project’s life.
Midas Gold is operating in a completely different regulatory environment from past operators. The United States has changed how mining takes place, mining companies cannot just walk away from projects and leave the land and water in disrepair. Once our project is successfully permitted, we will be required to set aside all the money needed for reclamation prior to the start of any mining or construction. This ensures that, even if the unexpected happens, the funds will be there so restoration can move forward and the issues facing the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River can finally be addressed.
If you have a question you would like us to answer, please email us at [email protected].
