Montana issues permits for mine over advocates' protests

HELENA, Mont. — Environmental regulators on Thursday approved plans for a copper mine in central Montana that marks a major milestone in a long-running dispute. But the move will likely be challenged by environmental advocates who worry about the mine's proximity to one of the state's most popular recreational rivers.

The head of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality told The Associated Press that the permits for the Black Butte Copper Project near a tributary of the Smith River will be the most stringent ever issued for a hardrock mine in Montana.

“I can tell you that our team here at DEQ has really been motivated to put this application through the wringer to determine whether it indeed would comply with state laws,” Shaun McGrath told the AP, cautioning against judging the mine against older projects that have become Superfund sites.

The state agency will issue permits to Tintina Montana Inc., a subsidiary of Australian mining company Sandfire Resources, for an underground mine north of White Sulphur Springs and 19 miles (31 kilometers) from the Smith River. The mine's operating permit will be issued once a reclamation bond is posted, officials said.

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