BONNERS FERRY — An Australian company considering the developing of a mine at Hall Mountain is disputing claims that it is planning to mine rare earth elements and thorium

Although those materials are abundant at Hall Mountain, MMG Limited insists its exploration program is entirely focused on zinc.

“MMG is not searching for rare earth elements or thorium. Further, our exploration program is preliminary in nature and consists of only three initial drill holes using a single drill rig,” Sally Cox, general manager of stakeholder relations at MMG, said in a statement.

Cox said decisions about further exploration will be made after the current exploration program.

“MMG recognizes that managing environmental responsibilities is essential to long-term success and we apply best in class practices to all our activities,” Cox said.

The U.S. Forest Service recently granted MMG permission to conduct the exploratory work to develop a three-dimensional model of mineral deposits.

If MMG conducts further exploration or chooses to develop the mine, a more stringent round of analysis would be conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Opponents of the mine’s possible development, however, are convinced the search for zinc is cover for assessing rare earth element deposits.

“What they’re after is the thorium and some of the rare earths,” said Ron McLaughlin, a landowner who opposes the project.

There is an estimated 104,300 metric tons of thorium in Hall Mountain, according to a U.S. Geological Survey scientific investigations report. There are also rare earth element-rich veins in the mountain.