The Sunshine Mine in the Silver Valley produced millions of tons of lead, zinc, copper, and over 360 MILLION ounces of silver. On May 2, 1972, 173 miners started their work day. A fire began to burn near the fresh air intake, which helped to circulate deadly toxins throughout the mine. The Sunshine was a hard rock mine; it was thought it could never burn, but burn it did. The hoist man literally evacuated miners until he too died. 91 perished. The community was devastated; the entire Silver Valley grieved. It took over a week to recover all who were lost. Two men were rescued eight days after the initial fire, having endured horrific conditions. We must never forget the largest mining disaster in Idaho’s history.