Judge Says Montana Officials Unlawfully Approved Black Butte Copper Mine
[Click image to enlarge]
State environmental officials unlawfully approved a large copper mine in central Montana despite worries that mining waste would pollute a river that’s popular among boaters, a state judge ruled.
Officials with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality failed to conduct an adequate review of the proposed Black Butte mine north of White Sulphur Springs, Judge Katherine Bidegaray in Meagher County said in Friday’s ruling.
Work began last year on the mine along a tributary of the Smith River, a waterway so popular among boaters that the state holds an annual lottery to decide who can float down it.
The underground mine sponsored by Vancouver-based Sandfire Resources is on private land and would extract 15.3 million tons of copper-laden rock and waste over 15 years — roughly 440 tons a day.
Environmentalists had sued over potential pollution from the mine and asked Bidegary to reconsider it’s permit.
Bidegaray’s ruling leaves that permit in place for now. She asked the two sides in the case to submit legal briefs within 45 days to address what should happen next.
Source: The Associated Press
About Sandfire Resources
Sandfire Resources America Inc is a Canadian based resource company. It is focused on the exploration, development, and mining of its 100% owned flagship property, the Black Butte Copper project in central Montana, USA. The company reportable segment being the acquisition, exploration, and development of resource properties. Geographically, it has a presence in Canada and the United States.
To stop by Sandfire’s website, CLICK HERE
Be in-the-know when you’re on-the-go!
FREE eNews delivery service to your email twice-weekly. With a focus on lead-driven news, our news service will help you develop new business contacts on an on-going basis.
CLICK HERE to register your email address.
