Recognized for Environmental Excellence

• Thompson Creek Mine has aggressively managed tailings and waste rock to prevent the development of acid rock drainage. Thompson Creek Mine has and will continue to commit substantial resources and expertise to prevent acid rock drainage, to protect the environment, and to ensure long term water quality protection.
  
• Bert Doughty, Thompson Creek Mine Environmental Manager, winner of the 1997 "Outstanding Environmental Coordinator" Award from the Idaho Interagency Reclamation Awards Committee (Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho Division of Environmental Quality, Idaho Department of Water Resources, federal Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service).
  
• Winner of the 1996 "Excellence in Annual Operations" Award from the Idaho Interagency Reclamation Awards Committee (Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho Division of Environmental Quality, Idaho Department of Water Resources, federal Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service).

Recognized for environmental excellence by:

• The Idaho Conservation League
• The Pacific Northwest Pollution Control Association
• The University of Idaho-College of Earth Sciences
• The Idaho Department of Lands
• The U.S. Forest Service
• The Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) biological opinion of "no jeopardy" on Endangered Species Act (ESA) species (Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon and Snake River Sockeye salmon) issued May 1996.

Collaborative Projects Serve Environment & Community

• Steelhead smolts are reared below Thompson Creek Mine in water from Squaw Creek, a Salmon River tributary downstream from the operation. Build on Thompson Creek Mine property, this steelhead acclimation pond is a cooperative effort between the company and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The model project is hailed by sportsmen and biologists for its benefit to regional fisheries.
• Co-sponsored the Hannah Slough steelhead spawning habitat protection project along the Salmon River, near Challis. Other participants included the Idaho Department of Fish & Game, USFS, BLM, Soil Conservation Service and several private parties.
• Participant in several resource management advisory groups including:
• BLM Resource Advisory Council for the Upper Columbia/Salmon Clearwater district
• Upper Salmon River Watershed Advisory Group (WAG). Projects include the Custer County Watershed Group, Bull Trout Recovery, Water Quality and Habitat Improvement
• Custer County Watershed Advisory Group
• Challis Experimental Stewardship Project
• Idaho Mining Association & National Mining Association - Recognized for Education Programs
• A model operation in the areas of reclamation, environmental protection and stewardship including special environmental and community projects.

Best Management Practices Throughout Operation

• Interagency Task Force, a Model for Cooperation - Thompson Creek Mine pioneered this successful model for cooperation with state and federal regulatory agencies
• New activities include expanded environmental monitoring, updated interim and final closure plans, review of bonding requirements, and further analyses of the tailings impoundment.
• Investments in state of the art technology protects water quality - Thompson Creek Mine invested more than $3 million in proven technology to protect water quality including a pyrite removal process (to separate pyrite from mill tailings and manage the pyrite concentrate to prevent acid rock drainage) and improvements to the tailings facility drain system.
• Closed loop water management isolates and recycles process water - Water used in the milling process is recycled and reused in a closed loop and is managed in isolation from natural (surface) water.
• Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring at 35 sites ensures strict state and federal standards are met - Thompson Creek Mine monitors regularly above and below the streams that surround the mine. Strict water quality standards are maintained and are reviewed by state and federal agencies. 42 different parameters are tested regularly to meet federal Clean Water Act, Clean Drinking Water Act and other water quality requirements.
• Waste Rock Management prevents & controls ARD conditions - Non ore-bearing (waste) rock material is identified, isolated and encapsulated to control material having potential to generate ARD.
• Concurrent reclamation ensures mined areas are continuously restored.
• Catchment Basins and Sediment Barriers control siltation runoff into streams.

Economic Impact to State of Idaho

• 180 high paying jobs with excellent benefits and production bonuses
• More than $10 million in employee payroll and benefits to Challis and Custer County residents
• More than 25% of local employment base
• $25 million in direct revenue within the state of Idaho
• Business relationships with 1700 suppliers, contractors and vendors
• Business relationships with 1,200 suppliers, contractors and vendors.
• 8500 Idahoans benefit from Thompson Creek Mine

Community Support

• Annual Four Year Scholarships Awarded to 4 graduating seniors - Challis High School.
• Partners in Education - Challis Middle School
• Contributed to the construction of the Challis fishing pond, a community recreation facility also involving the Idaho Department of Fish & Game, the Army Corp of Engineers, the City of Challis and local contractors.
• Generous support to local non-profit and community organizations and programs
• Employees active throughout the community, serving in various community groups, in the schools and in service organizations.