There’s no denying the mining industry’s important role in Idaho history. In some ways, Idaho was born because of the mining industry and there’s no telling what our state would look like without it. Located in northern Idaho, the Silver Valley is considered the most notable mining region in the Gem State. Encompassing towns such as Wallace, Mullan, Kellogg, and Pinehurst, this region was responsible for incredible amounts of zinc, lead, and silver. Total quantities of these mined metals is estimated to total over $6 million, making the Silver Valley one of the richest mining districts in the entire world. The valley contained several prosperous mines, but by far the largest and richest was the Sunshine Mine.
The Sunshine Mine produced a whopping 360 million ounces over its lifespan. Hundreds of men went to work in the mine every single day since the mine opened in 1884 through when it closed in 2001. However, the mine is also known for being the site of one of Idaho’s most terrible tragedies.
On May 2, 1972, the small mining town of Kellogg was victim to one of Idaho's most horrific disasters. On this morning, 173 miners headed to work underground but 91 of them never came back.
The Sunshine Mine was considered the most prosperous mine in the Silver Valley. It was also considered one of the most difficult mines to work in. Hard rock mining isn't easy business, so the men that went to work in Sunshine were some of the roughest and best in the game.
It was a chilly and clear May morning. The work day started off as usual and it wasn't until approximately 11:35 a.m. that two electricians smelled smoke and began shouting verbal warnings to other workers. However, smoke wasn't a super uncommon occurrence in the mine and many men didn't realize there was actual danger until it was too late.
Soon, all of the mine's exits were blocked by smoke and deadly carbon monoxide was quickly circulating throughout the mine. Under dangerous conditions, the hoist operator (the man who worked the elevator-like machine that took men down into the mine) rescued 81 men by bringing them to the surface before he eventually succumbed to the toxic gases.
Rescuers finally arrived around 2:00 pm, but it was too late. By this time, 91 workers had died from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning. The task of recovering the miner's bodies would last for several days after the incident.
Miraculously, two men were rescued alive nearly a week after the fire broke out. On May 8th, two miners named Tom Wilkinson and Ron Flory were found alive and brought back aboveground. They were the last survivors to be found in the mine.
The disaster had a profound effect on the community. To this day, it's not clear what started the fire. Prior to the incident, nobody believed it was even possible for a hard rock mine to set on fire. However, investigative officials believe the cause might have been the spontaneous combustion of refuse near scrap timber.
The next time you're traveling on Interstate 90, it's likely you'll come across the memorial that was erected in memory of the men who lost their lives. The 13-foot-tall statue stands right behind 91 miniature tombstones, one for each fallen miner.
A ceremony is held every year on May 2nd to honor both the men who died and the family members they left behind. It's a sad reminder of the dangers that come with working in a hard rock mine such as Sunshine.
The Sunshine Mine Disaster was the largest hard rock mining disaster since the 1917 fire in Butte, Montana. The disaster occurred nearly half a century ago, but this is one horrific tragedy that will never be forgotten.
For a more in-depth look at the Sunshine Mine Disaster, check out the hour-long documentary below called "You Are My Sunshine". The documentary was researched by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and contains interviews with miners who lived through this tragic experience.
Did you know this terrible tragedy took place? It may have happened almost 50 years ago, but the lives of those 91 men will never be forgotten. If there’s one good thing that came out of the Sunshine Mine Disaster, it’s the fact that safety standards were upped all over the country.
