Gold Mining Company Says Central Idaho Project is Feasible

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A Canadian company proposing a gold mine in central Idaho says it's undeterred by a U.S. Geological Survey study that found more extensive pollution than previously thought from historic mining in the area.

Midas Gold Corp. President and CEO Stephen Quin says the 4.6 million ounces of gold the company expects to recover near the town of Yellow Pine means cleaning up a century worth of past mining activities as part of the project is feasible. The Geological Survey report released Tuesday on the Stibnite Mining Area following a three-year study shows new areas of arsenic and mercury pollution.

Hydrologist Alexandra Etheridge says a sample taken in one area found mercury to be "off the charts." Quin says reclamation of the area by Midas would save taxpayers millions of dollars.