Bunker Hill Mining Corp. is on track to restart its historic Idaho silver and base metals facility in the first half of 2026, bolstered by significant construction progress, improved project economics, and promising new exploration targets. The company, trading on the TSX-V as BNKR and on the OTCQB as BHLL, reported on February 2, 2026, that its Process Plant construction has reached 88% completion and is entering the commissioning phase, while the Tailings Filter Plant is nearing 60% completion. This update follows the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) reclassification of the Bunker Hill Mine from “Active: Non-Producing” to “Active: Producing” on December 3, 2025, signaling a critical step towards operational readiness.
The company’s strategic update highlights a favorable shift in its projected revenue composition, with silver and base metals now expected to contribute roughly equally, a notable change from previous forecasts that leaned more heavily on base metals. This adjustment, driven by recent strength in silver pricing, is anticipated to enhance projected cash flow and operating margins. Furthermore, an artificial intelligence-driven analysis of geological and historical data has identified several high-priority exploration targets within the Bunker Hill land package, including those acquired through the Ranger-Page transaction, suggesting significant upside potential.
Construction Progress
Construction of the Process Plant is now 88% complete, with the facility having entered its commissioning phase. The Main Ball Mill is operational, and flotation equipment is undergoing testing. The Tailings Filter Plant, a component that had experienced earlier delays, is progressing and is now close to 60% complete. Recent efforts have concentrated on the installation of Filter Presses, supervised by manufacturer Metso, and the building structure for this plant is nearing completion. Underground infrastructure rehabilitation and lateral development are proceeding as planned, with multiple mining zones now accessible and prepared for production sequencing. The company has confirmed that ventilation systems, underground communications, and electrical power connections are fully operational. To support the plant commissioning and initial production phases, approximately 20,000 tons of ore have been stockpiled underground. Surface facilities at the Kellogg yard are also on schedule.
Regulatory and Safety Milestones
A significant development in the mine’s operational status occurred on December 3, 2025, when the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reclassified the Bunker Hill Mine from “Active: Non-Producing” to “Active: Producing.” This reclassification indicates substantial progress towards resuming full operations. The company has also secured essential environmental permits, including the Multi-Sector General Permit for stormwater management obtained in August 2025 and the Air Permit secured in September 2025. Bunker Hill Mining reports maintaining 100% compliance with all environmental permit requirements and reporting obligations. The company has maintained a strong safety record, exceeding three years without a lost-time incident and achieving a 2025 Total Recordable Incident Rate of 1.23, which is approximately half the national average.
Workforce Development
Bunker Hill Mining is actively engaged in workforce development to support the mine’s restart. The company is recruiting experienced personnel for underground mining operations, processing plant management, and technical support roles. Since the fourth quarter of 2025, key positions such as Chief Geologist, Senior Geologist, Ore Control Geologist, Mine Engineer, and Technical Services Manager have been filled. An in-house recruiter has been appointed to expedite hiring, with a particular focus on drawing skilled miners from the local Silver Valley region. Additional electricians and mechanics have been recruited, and the company is initiating the first of three planned recruitment waves for the Process Plant and Tailings Filter Plant operational teams.
Improved Project Economics
The economic outlook for the Bunker Hill project has been significantly enhanced by recent strength in silver pricing. Current pricing assumptions indicate that silver and base metals will contribute approximately equally to revenue. This represents a substantial shift from earlier forecasts that weighted base metals more heavily. This revised metal revenue mix is projected to increase anticipated cash flow and operating margins beyond previous internal planning assumptions, thereby providing greater financial flexibility and increased exposure to silver price appreciation.
Exploration Opportunities
In preparation for a 2026 exploration campaign, Bunker Hill Mining has completed an advanced technical review utilizing artificial intelligence analysis of its geological and historical data. This assessment has validated the viability and upside potential of several high-priority exploration targets within the expanded Bunker Hill land package, including properties acquired through the Ranger-Page transaction.
The Page Mine-Curlew Vein target is located on recently acquired property and is supported by 2025 drilling results that revealed higher-grade silver, lead, and zinc mineralization in a previously unexplored splay of the Curlew Vein at shallow depths. Notable intercepts from this drilling include 6.6 feet grading 2.19 ounces per ton silver with 5.81 percent lead, and a significant intercept of 10 feet grading 5.22 ounces per ton silver, 15.5 percent lead, and 4.09% zinc RP-2025-005. Another intercept from the same drilling program measured 1.5 feet grading 8.16 ounces per ton silver with 22.96 percent lead.
The Government Gulch Fault target is identified by an overlap of induced polarization chargeability highs from 2022 geophysical surveys with artificial intelligence prospectivity scoring. The footprint of this target is comparable to the historical March Ore Body, which previously produced 4.7 million tons grading 12 percent lead, 5.22 ounces per ton silver, and 2.25 percent zinc.
The Cate Fault Zone target is based on 1970s drilling that identified high-grade silver-lead mineralization which has never been exploited. This mineralization is located within 125 feet of rehabilitated underground access points, which is expected to enable efficient exploration development.
Sources
- https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/02/02/3230081/0/en/Bunker-Hill-Mining-Provides-Corporate-Update-Confirming-Project-Restart-on-Track-for-H1-2026-Improved-Metal-Mix-and-Several-New-AI-Validated-Exploration-Opportunities.html
