BIG CREEK — Big things are happening at the Sunshine Mine. 

For the first time in more than two decades, the mine is steadily moving toward sustained production, marking a major milestone for one of the Silver Valley's most historic operations. 

After years of rehabilitation work, technical studies and exploration, Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining Co. is advancing major infrastructure projects and feasibility studies aimed at returning the mine to production by late 2028. 

Discovered in the 1880s, the Sunshine Mine grew into one of the world's most prolific silver mines, producing more than 360 million ounces of silver during its operating history and becoming a cornerstone of the Silver Valley's mining legacy.

If successful, the recent efforts will mark the first sustained production at the Sunshine Mine since 2001. Although the company attempted a brief restart in December 2008 and January 2009, the operation did not return to sustained production.   

"We continued to slowly rehabilitate the surface and underground facilities while also conducting two diamond drilling campaigns and performing internal technical studies along the way," said Nick Furlin, operations and technical services manager at Sunshine Mine. "Once enough information was obtained, the investor group made the decision to push forward with beginning the final feasibility studies and making return-to-production plans." 

The company currently employs about 150 people, including 110 workers trained for underground operations. 

According to Furlin, several major projects are underway. The historic mill is being deconstructed to make way for a modern replacement. At the same time, the company is developing a new portal on the south end of the mine yard to improve access and ventilation to upper underground workings. 

In May, the mine completed one of its most visible upgrades, replacing the historic 1916 Nordberg double-drum hoist at the Jewell Shaft with a new Seimag-Techberg double-drum hoist equipped with a secondary egress hoist. Furlin said the project carried a multimillion-dollar price tag. 

Additional work includes extensive underground rehabilitation and development, as well as a full refurbishment of the Silver Summit hoist and shaft scheduled to begin in 2027. 

The company is also undertaking three major feasibility studies covering the mine and mill, an antimony plant and a silver refinery. Those studies are expected to be completed in 2027 and will help guide the operation's long-term future. 

The renewed investment comes after years of care-and-maintenance work and growing confidence in both the resource and metals markets. As market conditions improved, the company decided to pursue an initial public offering and raise additional capital to strengthen its plans to return the mine to production, Furlin said. 

Current plans project a mine life of about 23 years, though company officials hope ongoing exploration and definition drilling will continue to extend that timeline. 

"We hope to continue to add to that life span," Furlin said. 

While much of the focus at the Sunshine Mine is on the future, company leaders recently took a day to celebrate the people helping drive the operation forward, as well as the families who support them at home. 

In August, the mine hosted its annual Family Day event, welcoming more than 220 employees, family members and guests to the site. 

The event marked the sixth year Sunshine has hosted Family Day. What began years ago with gatherings of roughly 20 to 30 people has grown substantially over the past two years. 

"Family Day went great," Furlin said. "Everyone had an enjoyable, albeit hot, day going through the new hoist room, looking at equipment and the mill demolition. We had a treasure hunt that the kids loved." 

Guests were given opportunities to tour areas of the operation, including the new hoist room and active project sites. The day also included a meal catered by local pitmaster Garren Taylor of GarrenTeed BBQ. 

For mine leadership, the event serves a purpose beyond simply bringing people together. 

"Mining isn't the easiest job to have a take your kid or family to work day," Furlin said. "So it's really special to have the families and kids on site and watch all the employees showing off the pride they have in their jobs, the equipment they use, and giving the families a hands-on tour of what they do at work." 

Furlin said Family Day also recognizes the support systems behind the workforce and helps strengthen the site's culture. 

"In addition to providing the opportunity for our employees to show their families what they do, we feel that being able to take a minute and enjoy each other's company, celebrate our achievements and say thanks to the families for being the behind-the-scenes support to everything we do, on and off the job, is paramount to keeping the site culture inviting and safe," he said. 

Family Day is not Sunshine's only outreach effort. The mine also hosted Big Creek Day, inviting residents of the gulch to tour the site, enjoy a meal, ask questions, address concerns and learn more about plans for the mine's future. 

As the Sunshine Mine works toward its late-2028 production target, company officials hope their investment in both infrastructure and people will help lay the foundation for the next chapter in the storied operation's history.