SB1170: Changing cyanide mining rules midstream — 2025

Summary: SB 1170 proposes to revise and lock in rules for mines that use cyanide as part of their gold mining projects.

ICL's position: Oppose

Current Bill Status: Passed Senate, House Floor

Issue Areas: Clean Water, Fish and Wildlife, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Idaho Department of Lands, Mining, National Forests, Public Lands, Salmon and Steelhead

Official Legislative Site

The Idaho Mining Association has proposed Senate Bill 1170, a major overhaul of the permitting process for mining facilities that use cyanide—a highly toxic chemical commonly used in gold mining to extract tiny gold particles from rock. Over the years, cyanide spills at mines worldwide have caused massive fish kills, contaminated drinking water, and poisoned land.

Currently, Idaho law requires mining operations using cyanide to obtain a cyanidation permit from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) before construction can begin. Idaho’s Administrative Rules outline the detailed procedures, specifications, and protections that must be followed to obtain this permit.

SB 1170 proposes shifting many of these procedures from Administrative Rules to Idaho State Law (statute) while also making modifications that appear to weaken environmental protections. This is concerning because no mines using cyanide have been approved under the existing rules, meaning their effectiveness in protecting water, land, fish, and wildlife remains untested. Locking these rules into state law now would be premature. Instead, any changes should go through Negotiated Rulemaking — a transparent and collaborative process that allows for stakeholder input and thorough technical review.

The Idaho Conservation League (ICL) is particularly concerned that the Idaho Mining Association—along with one of its largest members, Perpetua Resources (the company behind the controversial Stibnite Gold Project)—is bypassing this process to push for a more industry-friendly permitting system, potentially paving the way for their pending permit to be approved.

Regardless of the fate of SB 1170, ICL will continue advocating to ensure that both Idaho’s cyanidation statute and Administrative Rules contain strong safeguards to protect our water, land, and environment.