Bunker Hill Mining

Bunker Hill Mining Corp. is a U.S.-based mineral exploration and development company focused on the revitalization of the historic Bunker Hill Mine, a significant producer of zinc, lead, and silver located in Shoshone County, Idaho. The mine, discovered in 1885, operated for nearly a century before its closure in 1981, a result of depressed metal prices and the significant capital required to meet new environmental regulations. During its operational history, the mine yielded over 42 million tons of ore and was a cornerstone of the Coeur d'Alene Mining District, accounting for a substantial portion of the region's total lead, zinc, and silver production.

In 2020, a new management team, composed of former executives from Barrick Gold Corp., took leadership to restart operations. This team includes Executive Chairman Richard Williams, a former COO of Barrick Gold with a background that also includes leading the British Special Forces Regiment (SAS), and President and CEO Sam Ash, an experienced American mining engineer who previously managed Barrick's Lumwana Copper Mine in Zambia. Ash has a personal connection to the project, as his father worked as a mechanical engineer at the mine in the 1970s. The company's strategy hinges on leveraging modern exploration techniques and sustainable development practices to unlock the mine's remaining potential. This involves the digitization of over 95 years of historical mining data to create 3D geological models, accelerating the identification of high-grade mineral targets.

Bunker Hill's business model is centered on rapidly restarting the mine as a low-cost, long-life operation. The company is not yet generating revenue from mineral sales as the mine is in the construction and pre-production phase. The plan involves utilizing existing infrastructure to minimize initial capital expenditure, with a focus on de-watered upper areas of the mine for initial production. As of early 2025, the restart project was reported as 67% complete, with the goal of recommencing commercial production in the first half of 2026. The company has secured an offtake agreement to supply zinc and lead-silver concentrates to Teck's Trail Smelter in British Columbia, Canada, aiming to strengthen the North American critical metals supply chain. The restart is anticipated to create approximately 250 jobs in a region designated as a “Disadvantaged Community” by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The primary assets are the zinc, lead, and silver deposits within the Bunker Hill Mine. The company has undertaken extensive drilling and sampling programs to verify historical resources to modern NI 43-101 standards. Recent efforts have focused on confirming high-grade silver zones that could be incorporated into the initial years of the mine plan, potentially improving early cash flow and operating margins. The mine benefits from existing underground access through a main tunnel, which reduces the need for costly new development. The project is located within a Superfund site, and the company is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on a path to resume operations while managing legacy environmental responsibilities, marking a potential milestone for mining within such designated areas.

Keywords: Bunker Hill Mine, zinc mining, lead mining, silver mining, Coeur d'Alene Mining District, Idaho mining, mine restart, mineral exploration, resource development, base metals, precious metals, sustainable mining, critical minerals, North American supply chain, Sam Ash, Richard Williams, Teck Resources, underground mining, mine revitalization, project financing