Inactive and Abandoned Mines Programs and Services Mines and Minerals Inactive and Abandoned Mines Mining continues to be a big industry in Idaho. Unfortunately a mine's life is not forever.
Production costs exceed mineral value.
Other mines can do it more profitably. The search for minerals runs up a dead end. And, of course, the old business axiom prices drop when supply exceeds demand. Whatever the reasons, once interest in developing a mineral venture stops, the mine and the site are abandoned. Thousands of mines and prospects have closed in the course of over a century of mining in the state.