Idaho Mine Fined $600,000

MULLAN, Idaho (KTVB) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice have reached an agreement with the owner of Idaho's Lucky Friday Mine and Mill concerning water pollution violations near the headwaters of the South Fork Coeur d'Alene River.

The South Fork Coeur d'Alene River runs through the heart of North Idaho's "Silver Valley," where the government is cleaning up a century of mining pollution.

Hecla Limited will pay a $600,000 penalty as part of the settlement involving close to 500 pollution violations.

Hecla's violations occurred between 2009 and 2014 at its Lucky Friday Mine and Mill near the town of Mullan. They include effluent limit violations and unpermitted discharges to the river.