Galena Mine

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The Coeur D’Alene mining district is one of the preeminent silver producing areas in the world, and also produces quantities of lead, zinc and copper.

The Galena silver mine has a long history dating back to 1887. Silver-copper and silver-lead ores were mined off and on until the Great Depression in the 1930s. In 1947, Asarco leased the mine, and a shaft sunk almost 3,000 feet found commercial silver ore. This new Galena Mine was placed in production in 1955 and became one of the largest producers in the district. The mine closed in 1991 due to low metal prices, but was reopened in 1996 under a new partnership between Coeur d’Alene Mines Corp. and Asarco called Silver Valley Resources Corporation. In 1999, Coeur d’Alene Mines Corp. bought out Asarco’s interest in the partnership and took over operation of the mine. In 2006, Coeur d’Alene Mines sold the Galena and Coeur mines and other holdings to U.S. Silver Corporation. The Galena mine is in full production and employs about 180 people. The mill processes silver-copper ore while the silver-lead ore is processed at the nearby Coeur mill. US Silver has developed significant new reserves for future operations.

Since 1953 over 160 million ounces of silver has been produced, along with 116 million pounds of copper and 22 million pounds of lead.