Idaho Copper Corp. has received federal approval to proceed with exploration drilling at its CuMo Project in Boise County, a development that supporters view as a step forward for domestic critical minerals production but that has also drawn concern from environmental groups and local stakeholders.

On March 14, the U.S. Forest Service’s Boise National Forest office issued a Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) following an Environmental Assessment of the company’s Plan of Operations (PoO). The decision authorizes temporary road building, drilling, and related exploration activities—subject to extensive mitigation measures designed to protect water quality, wildlife, and public lands.

"This is a major milestone for Idaho Copper," said CEO Andrew Brodkey. “We’ve worked closely with the Forest Service since 2016 to ensure our plan meets all environmental standards. Their review included hundreds of pages of technical studies, and the result is a plan that allows exploration while safeguarding the watershed.”

However, the decision is not without controversy. Conservation groups, including Idaho Rivers United and the Idaho Conservation League, have previously expressed concerns about potential impacts on the Boise River watershed, which provides drinking water to hundreds of thousands of residents and supports important fish and wildlife habitats. The CuMo Project site lies near headwaters that flow into the Middle Fork of the Boise River—an area prized for recreation, fishing, and its ecological value.

Critics argue that even exploration drilling can have long-term effects on fragile ecosystems, especially in steep terrain where erosion, runoff, and sedimentation are difficult to control. Others worry the project could pave the way for full-scale mining in the future—raising the stakes for what is currently framed as an exploratory phase.

“This approval sets a dangerous precedent for industrial development in a sensitive watershed,” said a representative from a regional environmental group. “While the Forest Service claims there will be no significant impact, history shows that even early-stage mineral exploration can have lasting consequences.”

In its decision, the Forest Service emphasized that the approved activities are limited to exploration only. Any future move to develop a mine would require a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which includes opportunities for public input and must address potential cumulative impacts more comprehensively.

Idaho Copper said its exploration will help determine whether a future mining project is technically and economically viable. The company has committed to fully reclaiming the site once exploration activities conclude.

The CuMo project spans roughly 2,640 acres and includes 126 unpatented federal mining claims and six patented claims. Idaho Copper touts the site as one of North America’s largest undeveloped deposits of copper, molybdenum, and silver—critical minerals increasingly important for clean energy infrastructure, electrification, and defense technologies.

The debate over CuMo reflects broader tensions playing out across the American West, where federal agencies are under pressure to accelerate domestic minerals development while balancing environmental protections and community concerns.