Committee advances overhaul of cyanidation permitting; conservation groups raise process concerns

Senate Bill 1170, a comprehensive rewrite of Idaho’s permitting framework for cyanidation facilities (uses of cyanide to leach metals from ore), was sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation after committee debate and testimony from industry, regulators and conservation stakeholders.

Senator Phil Hart introduced the bill and said it replaces a roughly two‑page statutory framework adopted in 1987 with a substantially longer code section that adds definitions, clarifies environmental protection standards, and preserves a 180‑day permitting timeline while allowing more iterative, applicant–agency interaction. “The new code will keep the hundred and 80 day permitting process that is currently in Idaho code, but it requires that that permitting process be a much…