Bunker Hill Mining Corp. said March 7 that it signed an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice to allow for its operation of the Bunker Hill zinc-lead-silver mine in Idaho without being liable for the mine's past contamination incidents.
Under the deal, the company will pay the EPA US$20 million over seven years, as long as it leases, owns and/or operates the mine, along with semiannual payments of US$480,000 for ongoing water treatment costs incurred at the EPA's central treatment plant. The miner will also be responsible for ongoing maintenance work on mine infrastructure to allow for proper management of liquid wastes.
The EPA will not sue the company for any prior contamination from the mine and will not enforce any lien it may have on the mine as long as Bunker Hill Mining is in compliance with its payment and maintenance work obligations. The EPA also agreed to release any lien it may have on the mine upon the completion of the company's obligations.
The agreement will be effective after a 14-day public comment period.
