Canadian company Mosquito Consolidated Gold Mines Ltd has received final approval from the US Forest Service to begin exploration in Idaho. The company will be looking for molybdenum (Mo) in the Boise National Forest where the world’s largest such deposit of the silvery metal is said to be located.
Shaun Dykes, CuMo project manager said that they were pleased to be able to move forward with the exploration. He said that it will provide valuable information about the nature of the mineral deposit and also create at least 50 jobs in the Boise County area throughout the summer. The Forest Service's environmental specialists and their consultants have done a very thorough job on the Environmental Assessment. This analysis has reaffirmed that the proposed activities would have no significant impact on the environment, including water resources in the region.
The exploratory drilling program will take place on National Forest land about 14 miles northwest of Idaho City, Idaho. The locals have had concerns about the contamination of their drinking water in what is the most populated area within the state.
The Idaho Conservation League, Sierra Club, Idaho Rivers United and Golden Eagle Audubon entered a joint statement that said their organizations maintain that large-scale industrial mining in the Boise River watershed was unsuitable given the importance of this area to provide clean drinking water for downstream communities, irrigation water for agriculture, recreational opportunities, continued economic development and habitat for fish and wildlife.
In response Mr. Dykes said that the exploration will be carried out to comply with all of the Forest Service's protective requirements. If exploration someday leads to mine development, they intended to carry out substantial restoration work on lands that were already heavily mined in past years by other companies.
Molybdenum is used in the manufacture of armour, aircraft parts, electrical contacts, industrial motors, filaments and in steel alloys for its high corrosion resistance and weldability.