Gold Mining in Idaho (2024)? All You Need to Know

Idaho is a gold producing state with one active gold mine. Read in the article about the history of gold mining in Idaho, about its gold mine and other facts and figures about gold mining in ID.

Is there Gold in Idaho?

Yes, and the state has still an active gold mining industry.

• Idaho’s gold production comes only from one mine, the Golden Chest Mine, owned by Idaho Strategic Resources Inc.; mining as open pit and underground. This mine brought gold mining back to the state, more than 10 years after the last gold mine closed.
• The gold mine in the state produced 150 kg of gold in 2021. This is less than 0.1% of the US gold output of that year, which was 187 tonnes.
• In the 1960s, Idaho was number 7 in the ranking of gold ever produced in US states.
• The US Geological Survey lists more than 4,500 sites with gold deposits in Idaho, most of them closed (for comparison: California has more than 20.000 gold sites), for example: the Almaden Mine, Beartrack, the Blackbird Mine and the Black Pine Project.
• There are around 20 historic gold mining districts, located in four regions: the Boise Basin Region (as the most productive gold mining district in Idaho), Coeur d’Alene, Owyhee and Wood River.
• There are several gold exploration projects in the state that might lead to mining operations.

Key Takeaways:

Fact	Explanation
Remember	Gold discovery led to the establishment of the state of Idaho in 1963; Gold output currently only from one mine
Gold Deposits	Yes
Discovery Year	First significant discovery in 1860
Discoverer	Elias Davidson Pierce
Gold Mining Industry	Still active
Major Gold Locations	Boise Basin (area of first major gold rush), Pierce (first gold discovery)
Major Active Gold Mines	Golden Chest Mine
Mining Companies	Idaho Strategic Resources Inc.
Panning Locations	Clearwater, Salmon, Snake and Eagle City Rivers

The following map of Idaho shows the location of the first gold discovery and the location of the only gold-producing mine left in the state:

Check out the video about gold mining in Idaho:

Sources: Idaho State University, USGS, USGS, USGS

Where is Gold in Idaho?

Gold in Idaho can be found at various locations across the state, primarily in areas where historic gold mining has taken place. Some of the most notable areas include:

1. Boise Basin: Located in Boise County, this area was the site of a significant gold rush in the mid-1800s. Towns like Idaho City, Placerville, Pioneerville, and Centerville were founded as a result of the mining activities.
2. Silver City Area: Situated in Owyhee County, Silver City and the nearby DeLamar Mine have a history of gold and silver mining.
3. Lemhi County: This county is known for gold mining, particularly in the Salmon River area and its tributaries.
4. Murray Area: Located in the panhandle of Idaho, the Murray area including the Coeur d’Alene region, has been a site for gold mining.
5. Elk City and Warren: Both located in central Idaho, these areas have been known for gold mining activities since the 1860s.
6. Clearwater River: Near Pierce, where Idaho’s first gold discovery was made, the Clearwater River and its tributaries have been a source for gold.

See also the map of the gold mining districts of Idaho (from 1965):

Sources: Idaho outdoors, USGS

What is the History of Gold Mining in Idaho?

The discovery of gold in the mid-19th century brought an influx of miners and settlers, leading to the establishment of numerous towns, and played a crucial role in Idaho’s path towards statehood.

Who discovered gold in Idaho?

Significant gold deposits were first found in Idaho in 1860 by Elias Davidson Pierce, a prospector who ventured into the territory that is now known as Clearwater County. Pierce, along with members of his party, found significant gold deposits near the town that would later be named after him – Pierce, Idaho.

This discovery occurred in an area that was part of the Nez Perce tribe’s homeland, and it marked the beginning of a significant transformation in the region. Pierce’s discovery wasn’t an isolated event; it was part of a larger wave of exploration and expansion in the American West during the mid-19th century.

Was there a gold rush in Idaho?

Following Pierce’s discovery, Idaho experienced its own gold rush. In 1862, just two years after Pierce’s find, gold was discovered by George Grimes in the Boise Basin. This discovery led to one of the largest gold rushes in the American West, with thousands of miners flocking to the area. Towns like Idaho City, Placerville, Centerville, and Pioneerville emerged almost overnight, turning the Boise Basin into a bustling hub of gold mining activity.

• The placer boom that began in 1862 lasted less than 10 years and yielded over $30 million, largely from the Boise Basin.
• From 1860 to 1866, Idaho produced 2.5 million ounces or 19% of all gold in the United States.
• The discovery of gold in Idaho in 1860 led to the establishment of the Idaho territory in 1863.

In 1860, Idaho’s population was a modest 10,000, but by 1890, at the conclusion of the Gold Rush, this number had surged to 89,000. This dramatic increase was largely fueled by individuals who migrated to the area for gold mining. As a result, the population almost doubled every decade, leading to the establishment of new towns and the expansion of existing ones.

Start of industrial mining

As placer gold deposits began to dwindle, the nature of gold mining in Idaho shifted.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a transition from placer mining to industrial, hard-rock (lode) mining. This transition was marked by the introduction of more sophisticated mining technologies and methods. Companies started to dominate the landscape, replacing the early individual prospectors and small-scale operations.

Notably, the development of the Coeur d’Alene district in the 1880s marked a significant phase in Idaho’s mining history. While this district was more famous for silver, it also contributed substantially to the state’s gold output. These changes in mining techniques and the scale of operations reflected a maturation of the industry, with lasting impacts on Idaho’s economy and landscape.

The next graph shows gold production in Idaho from 1880 till 1965. After a production peak in the 1890s of nearly 125,000 ounces of gold output in one year, production fell due to a decline in placer operations, with a low of around 15,000 ounces in the 1920s. In the 1930s and 1940s production reached new heights with a record output of 150,000 ounces in 1940. This was from Atlanta, Yellow Pine, Boise Basin and the Warren-Marshall districts.

Source: USGS

How much gold has been mined in Idaho?

 Total gold production in Idaho until 1965 was 9,300,00 ounces, of which one million was produced before 1864 (see next graph). However, data accuracy from before 1880 and especially from before 1864 is difficult to ascertain.

There are no publicly available data about total gold production until today.

Source: USGS

What is the Current State of Gold Mining in Idaho?

At the turn of the millennium, the last gold mines closed in Idaho, leaving the state with no active gold mine for around 15 years:

• the Grouse Creek Gold Mine closed in 1997
• the Black Pine Mine in 1999
• the Beartrack Mine in 2001

(After the end of their mining activities, gold was still extracted from the mining stockpiles for several years.)

From 2006 till 2011 Idaho produced a limited quantity of gold from small-scale mining and as a byproduct from silver mining. No gold production was recorded in 2012 and 2013.

After the opening of the Golden Chest Mine in 2014, the state of Idaho has again an active gold mining industry. The historic Golden Chest Mine was the largest lode gold producer in the mining district in in the 1890s and 1900s.

The next chart shows the annual gold production at the Gold Chest Mine from 2017 till 2022. Production reached a peak in 2022 with 186kg of gold produced at the open pit and underground operations, this is an increase of 24% year on year.

What is the major gold mine in Idaho?

The US Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook lists in its most recent overview of 44 leading gold operations in the US and only one gold producing operation in the state of Idaho: the Golden Chest Mine (owned by Idaho Strategic Resources Inc.).

The US state leading the ranking is Nevada with 27 operations, followed by Alaska with four operations.

List of the gold operation in Idaho:

US Rank	Operation	County and State	Majority Owner (2024)	Qty 2020	Qty 2021
36	Golden Chest	Shoshone, ID	Idaho Strategic Resources Inc.	117	150

Explanation:                                                                               

Rank: a comparison of the output of US mines. Therefore, Golden Chest, as the only gold producing Idaho mine, is ranked number 36 of all US gold mines. Eight of the ten biggest mines are in Nevada and one in Alaska and one in Colorado.

Quantity: in kilogram; there are approx. 32 fine ounces in one kilogram

Facts about the Golden Chest Mine

• Mine production since 2014, first shipment to the smelter in 2015
• Owned by Idaho Strategic Resources Inc.
• Ore processing at the New Jersey Mill, also owned by Idaho Strategic Resources
• Located two miles east of Murray in the Coeur d’Alene mining district
• Gold extraction as open pit and underground mining
• Ongoing Exploration project to expand mine life
• Gold output of 117 kg in 2020, 150kg in 2021 and 187kg in 2022

Video about the Golden Chest Mine – Portal Blast:

Sources: company website, Mining Technology, USGS

What Companies Mine Gold in Idaho?

Idaho Strategic Resources is the owner of the only gold-producing mine in Idaho.

Some facts about the company:

• Producer of gold, thorium and rare earth elements
• Founded in 1996; headquartered in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and traded at the NYSE
• Former name: New Jersey Mining Company
• Production (all in Idaho):
  • Rare Earth Elements extracted in Diamond Creek, Mineral Hill and Lemhi Pass (the last one also Thorium)
  • Gold production: Golden Chest Mine in the Murray Gold Belt, see visualization
• Gold Projects:
  • Eastern Star Gold Project, Butte Highlands Gold Mine and McKinley-Monarch
    

Source: company website

Where are New Gold Mines Explored or Developed in Idaho?

Mining Data Online lists 6 gold projects, five planned as open pit and one as underground mining. Two of them are the DeLamar and the Stibnite projects:

DeLamar Project:

• Owned by Integra Resources, purchased in 2017 from Kinross Gold
• Located in southwestern Idaho, 100km from Boise
• Includes the historic DeLamar Mine that closed in 1999
• Planned open pit mining of gold and silver

Stibnite Project:

• Developed by Perpetua Resources
• Located in Valley County, in central Idaho, 16km east of Yellow Pine
• Project in the abandoned Stibnite Mining District
• Planned open pit mining of gold and silver
• Prefeasibility study from 2014: 4 million ounces of gold to be recovered, 12 year mine life

Sources: Integra Resources, MDO, Perpetua Resources

Is it Legal to Mine Gold in Idaho?

In Idaho, it is legal to mine gold, but the requirements vary depending on the type of activity.

• In Idaho, most of the rivers and streams are on public land, allowing for gold panning without the need for a permit from the federal or state government.
• However, it is important to obtain permission from the land management agency before panning on public lands, and on private lands, permission from the landowner is required.
• The Idaho Department of Water Resources does not regulate panning or non-mechanized activity in the state, but it is recommended to check for any specific regulations or restrictions in the area you plan to visit.
• Additionally, it’s advisable to inquire from locals or relevant organizations.
• Joining a gold prospecting club in Idaho can be beneficial, as these clubs offer educational resources, access to claims, and organize group outings and events. Some notable clubs include the Northwest Gold Prospectors Association, Idaho Gold Prospectors Association, and the Snake River Region Chapter of the Gold Prospectors Association of America.

Sources: Idaho

Where Can I Pan for Gold in Idaho?

Check out the video about gold prospecting in Idaho:

Idaho has a rich history of gold mining, and there are many rivers and streams open for gold panning, with most of the state’s land being public and accessible for prospecting.

Some of the gold panning locations in Idaho include:

1. Boise Basin: This area has a rich history of gold mining and is one of the best places to try your luck.
2. Coeur d’Alene River: You can pan for gold along the Coeur d’Alene River, which is known for its gold-bearing potential.
3. Snake River: With the exception of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, which prohibits panning, the Snake River is a viable location for gold panning.
4. Salmon River: The Salmon River and its major tributaries are also potential locations for gold prospecting.
5. Silver Valley: Located in the Idaho panhandle, the Silver Valley is known for its rich mineral deposits and has been reported to produce placer gold and load gold nuggets.
6. French Creek-Florence: This area in Idaho County has historically yielded a significant amount of gold.

It’s important to be aware of any regulations and obtain necessary permits before engaging in gold panning in these locations.

Sources: Idaho outdoors, usa today, the gold mine hotel

Is There Gold in Other US States?

Check out gold production in neighboring states of Idaho: Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGC), there are 11 states that mine gold and contribute towards the gold mining statistic: Nevada is responsible for the majority of gold output, around 72%, followed by Alaska (13%). 9 other contribute in sum to the remaining 15% of gold production: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota and Utah.