The Associated Press reports that Idaho-based Hecla Mining Co. pay $102,000 in penalties following a spill of mine tailings at a zinc and lead facility near Mullan, Idaho. More than 22,000 gallons of hazardous material was released. Of greatest concern in the incident is the roughly 900 gallons of liquid mill tailings that spilled into the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River during a heavy storm in 2006. That accident occurred at the ironically named Lucky Friday Mine. The company has taken numerous steps to correct these matters and prevent them from being repeated.

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