Published: October 12, 2020 |

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State officials said Friday that construction can begin on an underground mining project north of White Sulphur Springs.

Tintina Montana, owned by the Australian mining company Sandfire Resources, can begin the first phase of construction on the Black Butte Copper Project.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality issued a final permit to the company Friday, allowing it to proceed, according to a news release.

“This is our final permit. It comes after a very long and stringent environmental review process,” said Rebecca Harbage, a DEQ spokesperson.

The first phase of the project involves road building and staging areas for construction materials and equipment. Harbage said the operating permit only authorizes site preparation. The company will need to post another bond to actually mine.

Tintina posted an approximately $4.6 million bond to cover the project’s first phase. The DEQ is working toward calculating an appropriate bond covering reclamation costs, which the company will need to post before mining.

Before mining, Tintina must provide the DEQ with detailed designs for the project and obtain additional permits from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. The permits are needed to address the flow of nearby Coon Creek during mining operations, according to Harbage.

Nancy Schlepp, a spokesperson for Tintina, said work will begin Monday. She estimated the initial phase would take up to six months, and full construction on the mine would take about two years.

“We are pleased with the really thorough job that the Montana DEQ has done on this project,” Schlepp said.

Schlepp said Tintina has worked to address concerns through a number of technological breakthroughs.

The company is storing half of the mine’s tailings in a separated facility double-lined with cement to prevent contamination, she said. The other half of the tailings will be put in the ground.

In addition, water that is used in the underground mine will be treated and added back to the groundwater, and all entrances into the mine will be closed off, according to Schlepp. She estimated ore extraction would take 11 to 15 years, and reclamation would take three years.

Mining activity would take place about 20 miles upstream from the confluence of the Smith River and Sheep Creek.

Schlepp said Tintina addressed every possible environmental impact. The project, she said, will be an economic driver that will benefit those living nearby.

Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle

To stop by Sandfire Resources’ website, CLICK HERE

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