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ToTo ﬁﬁndnd mmoreore iinformationnformation aaboutbout SSONARtrac,ONARtrac, ppleaselease ccallall uuss aatt 2203.265.003503.265.0035 oorr vvisitisit oourur CCiDRAiDRA websitewebsite atat www.cidra.com.www.cidra.com. MineralsMinerals ProcessingProcessing MONTANA MINING 2010 Published by DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, Manitoba in this issue of Canada R3L 0G5

President MONTANA MINING David Langstaff MMA President’s Message – Mike Mullaney 4 Publisher Jason Stefanik MMA Mission Statement 4

Managing Editor MMA Executive Director’s Message – Debbie Shea 6 Katrina Senyk MMA 2010 Board of Directors 8 [email protected] Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Report 9 Advertising Account Executives Cheryl Ezinicki Member Profile – Dolores Rife 16 Jennifer Hebert Ross James Join us once again at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort 17 Michelle Raike World Museum of Mining promotes important mining heritage to the public 18 Contributing Writers MT voters’ mode uncovered in chamber poll 23 Rebecca Colnar © Debra Pitassy More than palling around: Provider Pals 24 Nicole Ritter MNHC adds new mining trunk to its program 26 Production services provided by: Big mine, small footprint 28 S.G. Bennett Marketing Services www.sgbennett.com Happy Birthday GNA! 30

Art Director Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine achieves greatest level of mining excellence 33 Kathy Cable The “lean” advantage 36 Layout & Design Montana Resources: A mining tradition, a mining family 39 Dana Jensen Chapter Report 43 Advertising Art Deryn Bothe American Mining Insurance Company 44 Matthew Kehler Hard work and diligence pays off for Holcim’s Trident Plant 46 © Copyright 2010 Graymont committed to working with government and community members 48 DEL Communications Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this pub lica - Revett’s commitment to environmental protection 52 tion may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written consent MMA Members 58 of the publisher.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein index to and the reliability of the source, the publisher in ADVERTISERS no way guarantees nor warrants the information and is not responsible for errors, omissions or AFFCO 13 Golder Associates Inc. 37 Montana Seals & Packing CAD, Inc. 50 statements made by advertisers. Opinions and AMEC / Geomatrix 19 Gough, Shanahan, Johnson & Waterman PLLP 11 Moore Oil, Inc. 14 recommendations made by contributors or American Mining Insurance Company 45 Graymont Western US Inc. 49 Nelson Brothers Mining Services, LLC 20 advertisers are not necessarily those of the pub- Billings Clinic 41 GSE Lining Technology, LLC 30 O'Keefe Drilling Company 52 lisher, its directors, officers or employees. Bison Engineering 35 Hardsteel Inc. 45 Pierce Leasing 40 Publications mail agreement #40934510 Brenntag Pacific, Inc. 28 Holland & Hart LLP 46 Revett Minerals 53 Bucyrus International Inc. 14 ITT Water & Waste Water/ Flygt Products 21 Richwood 43 Butte War Bonnet Hotel 29 Industrial Automation Consulting, Inc. 15 Rio Tinto IBC PRINTED PROUDLY IN MONTANA by CAMP (Montana Tech) 12 Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Ltd. 15 Ruen Drilling, Inc. 24 ARTCRAFT PRINTERS of Chemical Montana Company 10 Intermountain West Energy 31 Small Mine Development LLC 48 BILLINGS, INC. CiDRA Minerals Processing IFC Interstate BearingSystems 35 Spring Valley Drilling 11 Cross Petroleum Service 30 Interstate PowerSystems 11 Stillwater Mining Company 31 Mailing provided by Dick Irvin, Inc. 36 Irwin Car and Equipment 34 Stone Raven Resources, LLC 43 Helena Industries, Inc., Helena, MT Energy Laboratories Inc. 28 JBR Environmental Consultants, Inc. 42 Tetra Tech 47 Ernest K. Lehmann & Associates of Montana, Inc. 47 Larox, Inc. 38 Thiessen Team USA 37 PRINTED | 05/2010 Ezzie’s Wholesale, Inc. 36 LeTourneau Technologies 26 Tractor & Equipment Co. 44 F&H Mine Supply, Inc. 42 MDM Supply 50 Westate Machinery Company 54 DEL Fairmont Hot Springs Resort 55 Metso Minerals Industries Inc. 32 Western States Insurance - Missoula 50 Communications Inc. Fickler Oil Company, Inc. 47 Mines Management, Inc OBC Western Wyoming Community College 7 Geometrics, Inc. 5 Montana Crane Service 43 Wholesale Mine Supply 51 Cover Photo: Golden Sunlight Mine 33 Montana Resources 41 WWC Engineering 17 Site overview of East Boulder Mine. digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 3 PHOTO COURTESY OF STILLWATER MINING. President’s Message MIKE MULLANEY President, Montana Mining Association

’ve been honored to take on the responsibility of being president of The legislative committee that is chaired by Bruce Gilbert is active Ithe MMA these past few years. It has been a rewarding learning and staying on top of issues such as the nutrient criteria standards, experience, working with board members and the association staff. We wilderness bill, proposed mining law changes, etc. In addition, an have set up a team-type association that actively listens to feedback, Environmental Committee has just been formed and is being led by and then makes sound decisions on a consensus basis. Tad Dale. Thanks to all the individuals and participants involved in MMA board members are involved in all four of our committees – this important process. health and safety; education; membership; and legislative – which are Membership is stable but there has to be a stronger effort in getting defined in our bylaws. Commitment to these committees is essential more individuals, suppliers, and small operators such as sand and to our success – that success being a strong safety culture both on and gravel producers, to join. Numbers do make a difference. off the job; educating people of all ages about the importance of our These past two years have brought difficult times to many opera- natural resources; environmental stewardship; and compliance with tions due to the struggling economy. It is commendable to see how reasonable rules and regulations. The foundation has been put in these folks have stepped up to the plate and dealt with challenging sit- place for a bright future for this association. uations by taking on some drastic downsizing and cost-cutting meas- Safety is a top priority and we need to have the appropriate be - ures within their operations to remain competitive for years to come. havior instilled in us – on and off the job – to ensure no one is injured. It is a privilege to be part of the mining industry. We work so hard This past year, our safety and health committee has been rejuvenated in our typical day’s work that we take little time to reflect on our by committee chair Jerry Laughery, and all the other safety managers accomplishments and to tell our stories. By putting out our annual at various operations throughout the state who have been actively magazine, which is also available on the MMA website, we have been participating in this committee. The safety committee is by far the telling our stories and communicating to others what we are doing. most active within the association; committee members have been I thank the board for the opportunity to serve as president of the meeting monthly and quarterly at mine sites to share incidents and Montana Mining Association. Please continue to give feedback and best practices, and to discuss on-going MSHA regulatory changes and ideas to Debbie, Debra and the board to help us continue achieving how to best deal with them. our objectives. ✦

The Montana Mining Association (MMA) is a Montana being. One of the MMA’s primary functions is to pro- trade association dedicated to helping mining compa- mote and enhance the image of the mining industry. nies, small miners and allied trade members succeed, The Montana Mining Association works in coopera- understand, comply and function in a complex busi- tion with other state and national mining associations, ness and regulatory world. The primary purpose of the natural resource trade associations and groups with Montana Mining Association is to protect and promote similar interests and needs. the mining industry in the state. The MMA serves the industry on a wide range of sub- The Montana Mining Association monitors issues of jects through the expertise of its members. Many of the concern and provides representation for its members at MMA’s activities are conducted by various committees. the state legislature and with various state and federal The association has many active associates. Commit - regulatory agencies. The Montana Mining Association supports national mining initiatives. tees within the association are health and safety The Montana Mining Association provides informa- (including the health and safety of employees within tion and education for its members and distributes the association), education, membership and legislative information to the general public about the contribu- (including environmental and land use and political tion of minerals and mining to our economy and well- action committee).

4 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010

Executive Director’s Message DEBBIE SHEA Executive Director, Montana Mining Association

am most proud to say I was born and young friend, Kevin Shannon, as it snaked Mrs. Davies. On occasion, we would go Iraised in Butte, Montana. I lived the first through our neighborhood with cars of ore, through the tunnel and scale that hill as if it 13 years of my life in a house my grandpar- and thought little of his journey beyond our were Mt. Everest, but our time there was lim- ents settled into after journeying the many view. ited for an obvious reason – mean Mrs. miles from Ireland to find work in the We knew nothing of the global copper Davies. Mining City. That house was in the middle of market. We didn’t analyze or question the At one time there was a dump ramp on the the mining district and directly across the magnitude or complexity of the ACM opera- south side of the tunnel, across from the street from the Original Mine. tion. As children it just was what it was – a Metz home on Montana Street. It was a Having lived my entire life in Butte I do, constant and comfortable part of our lives. supersized teeter totter that we had great fun on occasion, feel an overwhelming sense of The Montana Street Tunnel was the center on, but it was no longer used as a dump nostalgia and find myself increasingly jour- of our play world; just off the playground, it ramp and was an accident waiting to hap- neying back in time. It was on such a jour- held endless hours of adventure. The east pen. Coming home from school one day ney that I decided to pen several stories for side had a bonnet of timber that gave it when I was quite young, men from the my children and their children, about a character. The top of the tunnel connected to Anaconda Company were tearing it down. time they will never know except through Montana Street and was shielded with a five- We all watched in disbelief, but life went on written pieces of history, and the wonderful foot high timber wall. Attached to that barri- and it was soon forgotten. visuals preserved within the city and the er, facing the tracks, was a foot-wide timber Neighborhood kids from Montana, World Museum of Mining. that covered the width of the tunnel. My sis- Boardman, Virginia, Pearl, Alaska, Ruby and I would like to share one of those stories. ter, Bonnie, was the first of our pack to ven- Agate streets played in and around the east ture that crossing, 25 feet above the tracks. side of that magical tunnel on North THE MONTANA STREET TUNNEL We cheered her across. Montana Street, building castles of sand and By the time of my birth in 1951, the min- On either side of the tunnel were three lev- dams of mud and water. ing history of Butte, Montana was well- els of support timber with 12-inch lumber In spite of warnings from very wise older known; however, as children growing up in going crosswise, perfect benches for watching kids that we would derail the train, we the center of this extraordinary venture, we the train or sharing deep secrets with a placed pennies on the track to be flattened by knew nothing of William Farlin, Marcus friend. Hills of granite and sand butted up the train; pennies never to be exchanged for Daly, William Clark or Augustus Heinze. against the timber. a piece of bubble gum again. We saw the hoist houses, machine shops, Inside the passageway were foot-and-a- We played house and school on the three gallows frames and the large, faded maroon half sections of timbered walls and ceiling. levels of support timbers, as neighborhood fences that enclosed the mine yards and Two feet up from the bottom of the wall were boys swung from a rope fastened to a pole thought little of them. We walked home from horizontal two by twos nailed to each section out toward the tracks and back in again – school balancing on the 12-inch pipe that for reinforcement. These reinforced divisions an activity my mother had participated in sent air to the underground for hoist machin- made perfect stalls to climb into as the train years before. ery and rock drills, only noticing the four-let- passed through the tunnel, so, as we were And when we heard the whistle of the ter words scribbled in chalk across it. We told by the older kids, we wouldn’t be sucked train rounding the bend by Graham’s house, heard whistles and the roar of the shiv wheel under the train. we would leave the playground and climb to as it hoisted the miners from the under- The west side of the tunnel had a different the third level of timbers. Not being able to ground tunnels and went about our business. personality. The north timbered wall coming see the train but only hearing its rumble, we We didn’t understand that spurs of the out of the tunnel framed Virginia Street; a held hands and waited anxiously for it to Butte, Anaconda and Pacific Railroad tied in wire fence along the street reinforced that pop out from the tunnel as it headed back all of the ACM Mines on the hill to the frame. The south side was a steep hill of toward Main Street. smelter in Anaconda. We waived to the con- granite with sporadic sage brush leading to Then balancing the steel rail like a tight ductor of the BA&P, often my grandfather’s the alley that separated our yard from mean rope on our way to school, Pat Sheehan

6 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 would tell us stories of her brother and friends hooking the train and taking it for a ride as far as Rocker. Names like Sheehan, Dennehy, Whalen and Rosa were legendary. My eyes would widen with amazement and awe, as the danger was mind-boggling to me. At night when you were tucked safely in bed, you could hear the rumbling of the train as it moved through the tunnel. It was soothing as it lulled you to sleep.

Those magical times of my childhood are gone now. The underground mines are sealed, and nine gallows frames scattered across the hill light the night sky remind- ing us of that extraordinary time. The stretch of track connecting the Montana and Main Street tunnels is now paved and serves as a beautiful walking path over- Across the street from the Montana Street Tunnel, the Original Mine stands proud in this photo taken by looking the city. I often walk that path and Butte photographer Cody Cavanaugh. Beyond the gallows frame is St. Mary’s Church and the Federal Building. In the distance is Montana Resources and the East Ridge with Our Lady of the Rockies tucked breathe in all the beautiful memories. in the snow on the top right. We are in a new era of mining now, a safer and healthier venture. In those many years before I was born, the men who had a vision to mine that hill never thought of reclaiming mined land … but it’s being done now. In the early days of mining in Butte, at least one life a week was lost in those tunnels a mile below the earth. They never fathomed assigning health and safety engineers to each mine to see to its safety … but it’s being done now. Those many years ago, mining was about boom and bust. Mining companies and communities didn’t work on an exit strategy with city government, or plans for an alternative business to sustain the life of the community … but it’s being done now. Oro y Plata was assigned as the state motto to recognize the essential elements of Montana’s economy and future. The mining industry is not only a part of Montana’s rich and often explosive history, but an ever-growing part of its economic future. Tap ‘er light! ✦

digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 7 Montana Mining Association 2010 Board of Directors

Mike Mullaney, President ...... O (406) 285-4970 Fess Foster, Director ...... O (406) 287-3261 Holcim (US) Inc. Geological & Environmental Consultant 4070 Trident Road, Three Forks, MT 59752 21 Paul Gulch Road, Whitehall, MT 59759 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Bruce Gilbert, Director...... O (406) 322-8700 Doug Miller, Vice President...... O (406) 295-5882 x 222 Stillwater Mining Company Troy Mine – Revett Genesis 536 East Pike Avenue, P.O. Box 1330, Columbus, MT 59019 PO Box 1660, Troy, MT 59935 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] John Hinther, Director ...... O (406) 266-5221 Mark Redfern, 1st Vice President...... C (406) 671-4105 Graymont Western U.S. Inc. Brenntag Pacific P.O. Box 550, Townsend, MT 59644 123 West Boulevard, Lewistown, MT 59457 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Jim Liebetrau, Director...... O (406) 563-8494 x 11 AFFCO...... C (425) 210-3653 John Junnila, 2nd Vice President...... O (406) 373-6010 1015 East Sixth Street, Anaconda, MT 59711 Westate Machinery Company Email: [email protected] P.O. Box 50370, Billings, MT 59105 Email: [email protected] Robin McCulloch, Director ...... O (406) 496-4171 Montana Tech Tim Smith, Past President...... O (406) 495-2803 W. 1300 Park Street, Butte, MT 59701 Montana Tunnels Mining Inc. Email: [email protected] PO. Box 176, Jefferson City, MT 59638 Gene Nelson, Director...... O (406) 549-8856 Email: [email protected] Yellow Band Gold Inc. 3926 Bellecrest Dr., Missoula, MT 59801 Matt Wolfe, Secretary / Treasurer ...... O (406) 932-8259 Email: [email protected] Stillwater Mining Company - East Boulder Mine P.O. Box 1227, Big Timber, MT 59011 Fred Panion, Director ...... O (406) 285 5303 Email: [email protected] Rio Tinto Minerals 767 Old Yellowstone Trail, Three Forks, MT 59752 Mark Cole, Director ...... O (406) 434-5583 Email: [email protected] Dick Irvin Inc. John Parks, Director ...... O (406) 683-3324 P.O. Box 950, Shelby, MT 59474 Barretts Minerals Email: [email protected] 8625 Hwy 91 South, Dillon, MT 59725 Email: [email protected] Tad Dale, Director ...... O (406) 496-3200 Montana Resources Ben Scholz, Director ...... O (406) 682-4882 ext. 233 600 Shields Ave, Butte, MT 59701 Rio Tinto Minerals Email: [email protected] 280 Johnny Ridge Rd., P.O. Box 130, Cameron, MT 59720 Email: [email protected] Jim Daley, Director ...... O (406) 683-3324 Roger W. Rohr, Director ...... C (406) 698-1563 Barretts Minerals Tractor and Equipment Co. 8625 Hwy 91 South, Dillon, MT 59725 Major Accounts Manager Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Tim Dimock, Director ...... O (406) 287-2046 Jim Volberding, Director...... O (406) 538-2501 Barrick - Golden Sunlight Mine Canyon Resources Corporation 453 MT Hwy 2 East, Whitehall, MT 59759 P.O. Box 799, Hilger, MT 59451 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Jason Ellis, Director ...... O (406) 266-5221 Debbie Shea, Executive Director...... O (406) 495-1444 Montana Mining Association Graymont Western U.S. Inc. P.O. Box 5567, Helena, MT 59604 P.O. Box 550, 450 Indian Creek Road, Townsend, MT 59644 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Debra Pitassy, Director of Member Services John Fitzpatrick, Director...... O (406) 442-5032 Email: [email protected] www.montanamining.org

8 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Review of 2009 Montana mines and exploration

By Robin McCulloch, Mining Engineer

was a year of changes for the mining industry. Revett Minerals, owner of the Rock Creek copper-silver project, con- 2009Early in the year, the prices and demand of most tinued to wait for the appeals and subsequent court decisions to be commodities remained seriously depressed by the downturn of eco- resolved prior to starting development of the property. They plan to nomic markets in 2008, and the international financial market had initiate the development of the upper decline in 2010 barring further nearly dried up for mineral funding. Prices for most metals showed a lawsuits against the permitting agencies. steady climb through the year, with gold leading the charge. Although On the east side of the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, Mine prices did not reach previous highs, the market appeared to stabilize Manage ment Inc. ceased rehabilitation work in their decline until the by the fourth quarter. Funding for exploration has not recovered and permitting of the Montanore copper-silver mine is completed. The only limited capital was available for projects nearing development draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) has been completed and and production. Most exploration companies that were heavily the company is waiting for the final record of decision. Environmental dependent on investment capital have ceased to exist. Smaller com- Protection Agency (EPA) involvement has caused further delays. The panies that were producing have been limited to cash flow and prof- company had planned to start a bankable feasibility study near the its for capitalization. Larger companies have been stable but most end of 2009. have kept capital-intensive projects on hold until financial uncertain- Within the Libby-Kalispell-Thompson Falls area, a large number of ties are resolved. Exploration efforts were at an all-time low. small decorative stone quarries constitute a substantial local econom- Operators continued to voice concerns about inconsistent interpre- ic influence. Most of them are located along Prichard Formation tations of the rules and regulations by the Mine Safety and Health (Super Belt Supergroup) outcrops. Products range from thinly-bedded Administration (MSHA), poorly prepared inspectors, and this year, per- sheets (one to two inches thick) to various thicker-bedded blocks (three sonal fines levied against supervisors for allowing untidy work sta- to eight inches thick) used for dry stacking and landscape boulders tions. Dust and noise seemed to be a particular focus of inspections. that may exceed feet in thickness. Some industrial minerals companies in the international market Most of the decorative stone products are used in the construction noted recovery beginning at the end of the first quarter followed by of higher value housing and businesses. The financial decline in 2008 steady growth. Local industries tied to the construction trades have in housing construction did not affect the demand as much as the realized a very slow recovery. Specialty markets, such as decorative anticipated 19 percent through the early quarters of 2009. However, stone, have been severely impacted by the crash in the building con- the slump caught up in the latter half of 2009; demand is rumored to struction industry. Production costs of some industrial minerals have have dropped by 50 percent. Inventories at many of the stone yards remained high because of energy prices. Portland cement sales have were full by early fall, a time when inventories should have been sub- been flat at low levels. stantially reduced. Near Superior, John Hageman and his son produced gold from the Operations (Fig. 1) lower Quartz Creek placer through late summer. All disturbances were The Troy Mine, located near Troy in northwestern Montana, is a reclaimed after known reserves were exhausted. wholly-owned subsidiary of Revett Minerals (operated by Genesis, Near Avon, Bill Darden briefly produced placer gold on Ophir Creek Inc.). In 2009, they increased copper-silver ore production by five per- above Blackfoot City. Further exploration was planned for late fall but cent to 3,700 tons per day. Their labor force has been steady, with was delayed into 2010 when inclement weather settled in. 180–185 employees. The ten percent pay cut for labor (implemented In southwestern Montana, Bud Guthrie produced placer gold in the late in 2008) has been fully reversed. Metal production increased by Scratchgravel Hills north of Helena. Availability of process water limits ten percent for silver but declined by five to six percent for copper. The production to spring and early summer. company has continued to expand its reserves in the lower copper–sil- In Helena, Al Ballard produced placer gold from the Pretty Girl plac- ver zones. Development of the “C” bed, located 370 feet below the er in Grizzly Gulch. Most of the nuggets and flakes are crystalline and main ore body, is planned for 2010, with production scheduled in are derived from a skarn that is exposed at various locations through- 2011. Many of the zones contain marginally economic amounts of out the drainage and surrounding area. metal, but the company has identified blocks of economic reserves Ash Grove Cement West maintained production at Montana City at within those zones. a reduced rate compared to recent years, except for a brief layoff

digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 9 when tremolite was identified in the pit. been granted but development capital has Northwest of Townsend, Tracy Fortner Subsequent testing of rock and air supplies been difficult to raise. The open-pit metals explored, permitted, and started production showed no asbestos-form minerals existed at mine is located west of Jefferson City and has of placer bench gravels above the north fork levels above government standards. The more than seven years’ worth of reserves of Indian Creek. company upgraded dust control systems at remaining. It is estimated that $60 to $85 Graymont Western U.S.A. Inc. maintained the coal mill. Operations focused heavily on million will be necessary to complete the production of burnt lime at their plant cost savings, power monitoring, and efficien- pre-stripping and environmental stipulations northwest of Townsend. Demand was down cy studies. of the mine permit. Elkhorn Goldfields and during 2009, and was further negatively Apollo Gold Corp. and Elkhorn Goldfields’ Apollo Gold Corp. have signed a letter of impacted by the closure of the Smurfit-Stone Montana Tunnels mine (Au, Ag, Pb, Zn) intent to transfer ownership to Elkhorn linerboard plant near Missoula in early 2010. remained in standby mode. Permits have Goldfields, Inc. North of White Sulphur Springs, Holcim’s Black Butte mine continued production as Montana’s only iron mine. The ore is used in “Common Chemicals With Uncommon Service” the production of Portland cement. LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED In Butte, Montana Resources maintained steady production of copper, molybdenum, Proudly serving the mining industry with a full line of and silver. Prices climbed steadily through chemical reagents, water treatment, refinery and the year. Tire problems of recent years were speciality chemicals. Make us your one stop shop for all Chemical Montana Company eliminated as the allotment was raised from 2000 Boulder Avenue Helena, MT 59601 your chemical needs. Total inventory management and 28 to 80 tires per year and the price was (406) 442-8900 • Fax (406) 442-8035 technical services available. One drum or one truckload reduced from $175,000 per tire to $26,000. Greg Peterson - PRESIDENT give us a call we are ready to serve you. The company continued to upgrade produc- Mark McAlmond - OPERATIONS MANAGER tion and support. They have completed a Toll Free 1-800-242-6515 email: [email protected] new computer control system for the mill.

10 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 Exploration on the south side of the deposit has increased the reserve base, especially for molybdenum. Deeper drilling in the pit Environmentally Responsible Drilling has also shown good results. Employment All aspects of mineral exploration: has been steady at 345 to 348 people who Ƈ Underground participate in a comfortable profit-sharing Ƈ Surface Drilling program. Ƈ Helicopter Portable Near Whitehall, Barrick Gold Corp. con- SPRING VALLEY DRILLING Ƈ Consulting Services tinued stripping waste at its Golden Ƈ Down Hole Surveying Sunlight mine. Development has been focused on the west and northwest sides of Hot Springs, Montana www.springvalleydrilling.com ph: 406-544-6401 the pit to access the remaining ore in the 5B optimized pit plan. During this three-year stripping plan, the company has over- hauled equipment, expanded the truck fleet with three Cat 785 haul trucks, and rehabilitated the mill. The mill is scheduled to resume production on January 1, 2011, and the existing reserves are scheduled to be depleted in 2015. They are also looking for compatible raw ore from underground properties within 100 miles to purchase. Barrick Gold continues to explore for additional reserves from satellite ore bodies, while permitting the ore deposit discov- ered under the crushing circuit. Preliminary work has been done in anticipation of con- verting the mill to a gravity-flotation circuit after the ore body is exhausted. This will allow for reprocessing the tailings to recov- er sulfide minerals for further gold recovery. West of Whitehall at Pipestone, Conda Mining Inc. has maintained steady production of railroad ballast and crushed stone from a diorite body. Near Three Forks, Holcim continued steady production of Portland cement. Some recovery in the market is expected in Gough, Shanahan, Johnson & Waterman, PLLP late 2010. The permit for replacing a portion (20 percent) of their fuel needs with worn-out tires has stalled in the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. The 33 S.Last Chance Gulch DEIS showed no impact on the environ- P.O. Box 1715 ment, but the final impact statement and Helena, Montana 59624-1715 record of decision have not been forthcom- Tel. 406 442-8560 ing. When originally proposed, the project Fax 406 442-8783 would utilize most of the waste tires gener- email: [email protected] website: www.gsjw.com ated in Montana as a fuel in their process. At Silver Star, Coronado Resources maintained copper and gold production at Serving Montana’s Natural Resource Industries its Madison Project (formerly the Broadway- Victoria mine). They have direct-shipped Since 1879 copper ore and gold ore from different areas of the mine on a mining contract with

digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 11 Blue Range Engineering. Cumulative production of recent years has that sales have increased. As with most of the mining industry, they exceeded 1,750 ounces of gold and 1.35 million pounds of copper. have not replaced support personnel. In operations, they have contin- Highlights of a limited ore-definition drilling program revealed 45 feet ued construction of new shop facilities at the Regal mine while of 0.74 ounces per ton (opt) gold and 17.5 feet of 0.61 opt gold. Nearly expanding reserves northeast of the Regal mine. The exploration pro- every hole drilled intercepted ore. gram has yielded some good results. At Glen, Apex Abrasives Inc. completed Phase 1 construction of their South of Ennis, talc production was maintained at the Yellowstone process plant at the former General Electric tungsten mill. They will mine by Rio Tinto Minerals. Following the labor reduction programs reprocess the garnet-rich tailings in the ponds to produce tungsten of the previous year, the company maintained labor levels and even concentrates and garnet for water-jet cutting media. Preliminary pro- hired a few new employees. As with many of the industrial minerals duction prior to seasonal closures produced a highly saleable product. companies, the focus was on cost reduction or optimizing operations. Full production is anticipated with the spring thaw. Internal capital was in short supply throughout the industry. Rio Tinto At Alder, Ruby Valley Garnet, LLC maintained steady production of continues to look to divesting the talc business of Rio Tinto Minerals. garnet from the dry placer deposit in Red Wash. Late in the fall, the In the south-central region, near Big Timber and Columbus, the company streamlined operations with a change in management and Stillwater Mining Co. maintained production from the largest mine workforce reductions. GMA Garnet (USA) Corp. has contracted Ruby complex in the state. Under adverse financial conditions, the compa- Valley Garnet’s total production. The company has continued to ny posted a net loss of $9.2 million. Over the year, they reduced staff expand production. Exploration this summer delineated hard rock by 27 percent, increased production by 6.2 percent, and added a sec- resources of up to 20 percent garnet at the head of the drainage they ond furnace at the smelter. They lost money on used catalytic con- are currently mining. verters purchased for recycling when the price for platinum group Barretts Minerals Inc. produces a number of talc products from the metals declined in late 2008 and early 2009. Recovery was impaired Treasure and Regal mines, located east of Dillon. One of the products when used catalytic converters were not available for purchase and is used in the production of the ceramic substrate for catalytic con- recycling. Early in 2009, General Motors backed out of their purchase verters. The 2008 economic decline triggered a stagnation of U.S. auto- contract via the bankruptcy court. Because of the tough financial con- motive sales, which in turn temporarily eliminated the demand for ditions, Stillwater took drastic cost-cutting measures that will improve that portion of talc sales. The company had to reduce its workforce for their future. At the East Boulder mine, they laid off the entire staff most of the year, but has hired all of their production staff back now (649 people) and then hired 265 back after reevaluating their opera-

12 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 tions. Cuts were focused on management and support staff. Almost ing to work in the state have found permitting slower than they immediately, productivity improved and cash operating costs declined would like, but it is possible. However, the outside perception, espe- by nearly $40 per ounce of platinum-group metals (PGMs). Changes in cially on the investment side, has left projects struggling for capital. mining methods reduced dilution and sidelined most of the fleet of There were 13 projects in 2009 at various levels of activity. diesel equipment. Near Superior, Shannon Anderson purchased the southern half of On the Nye side, Stillwater production increased from 394,000 the Calumet gold placer in Quartz creek. The initial excavation ounces of PGMs from 349,000 in 2008. Total operating costs were defined the boundaries of the upper end of the remaining deposit. reduced to $369 per ounce from $521 per ounce in 2008. They have Anderson indicated production would start in 2010. reduced equipment, personnel, and dilution through changes in min- West of Drummond, Dick Komberec excavated a few pits on his ing methods and are rethinking how they do business. The crisis the gold placer in lower Bear Gulch just above the dredge tailings. Nearly company faced in 2009 and survived may be the turning point that all of the sites yielded gold but bedrock was not intercepted. Many makes Stillwater the most improved mining company in the state. South of Billings, production continued at the Warren Quarry. Montana Limestone Co. produces approximately 650,000 tons of limestone per year and provides feed for the Western Sugar cooperative, the Dakota Coal Co.’s burnt lime plant in Frannie, Wyoming, as well as seven various-sized lime products ranging from rip rap to fine grind. The reserves are owned by Bighorn Limestone Co., which is jointly owned by Western Sugar Cooperative and Montana Limestone Co. Anaconda Foundry Fabrication Company, Inc. For all your mining needs Exploration (Fig. 2) Phone: 406-563-8496 Fax: 406-563-3368 Exploration in Montana has continued at an extremely low level even though the mineral endowment is considerable. This is partly Jim Liebetrau 425-210-3653 from a common perception that after the gold open-pit cyanide ban, Ron Vetter 406-560-8496 | Don Clark 406-560-2797 it is impossible to permit a mine in the state. Those companies will-

digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 13 of the exposures showed ten to 15 feet of topsoil. Further work is feasibility analysis identified projected production costs of $375 per planned in the future. ounce of gold at open-pit production rates of 75,000 ounces per year In the Garnet ghost town area, Grant Hartford Corp. continued over 7.5 years. The company is reevaluating the feasibility with some drilling targets for the second year. The company has contracted map- conformation drilling planned in the 2010 field season. ping of the area’s geology and tested both gold placers and lode At Marysville, RX Exploration Inc. resumed exploration late in the deposits. Some initial tests have identified gold-bearing gravel associ- summer on the historic Drumlummon mine. Historic production from ated with debris flows. Lode deposits were explored by 37,763 feet of this property is nearly one million ounces of gold and greater amounts reverse-circulation drilling and a small trenching program. The pro- of silver. After securing a permit to discharge the mine water, they con- gram has identified a resource of 611,244 ounces of gold on four tracted CDM, Inc. to design and build a water treatment plant for dis- zones. There are 70,550 tons of 0.18 opt gold near the Nancy Hanks solved arsenic. The plant was completed and installed, allowing the mine; 72,000 tons of 0.226 opt gold on the Willie vein system; 99,700 company to dewater the 600-level while rehabilitating the number ounces of gold in the Tostman zone; and a couple of holes in a five- one shaft. Current drilling has identified a resource of 155,560 tons to ten-feet-thick zone ranging from 0.268 to 0.444 opt gold on the containing 70,703 ounces of gold and 1,915,560 ounces of silver in the Tiger vein. The company is planning to continue the drilling programs Charley vein. On the D-Block, 160,000 tons of rock grading 0.4 opt gold in 2010. and 4.0 opt silver were identified by prior operators. Numerous pre- In the Gold Creek area, Don Beck and Co. tested placer gold gravels existing stopes contain ore-grade resources as indicated on historic near Pioneer. There are indications that production is planned in the maps. The drilling has also intercepted previously unknown mineral- coming year. ized structures adjacent and beyond old workings. The company has North of Avon, Ash Grove Cement Co. drilled a clay deposit for use started a decline to access resources in the D-Block–Charley vein area. in cement manufacturing in the Nevada Creek drainage. The continu- This development work will allow them to gather bulk samples to ity was good but results are not yet available. The clay appears to be complete metallurgical work. When the water is pumped below the hydrothermally-altered volcanic ash that encapsulated auriferous 600-level, the company plans to initiate drilling to expand the known gravel deposits. resource base for the mine. East of Lincoln, Atna Resources, Ltd. assembled data on the South of Butte, Timberline Resources Corp. and Highland Mining, Columbia (7-Up Pete) mine. This property was drilled by Phelps Dodge LLC, have joint-ventured the Butte Highlands project. A 16-foot x 16- foot decline is being driven 6,700 feet toward drill intercepts below the and Western Energy in the 1980s and 1990s. The gold and silver occur historic Butte Highlands mine, a gold-copper skarn. The project was in veins that are up to 150 feet wide and dip to the west. The original initially designed to facilitate continued drilling of an identified gold resource of 500,000 ounces. Approximately ten to 15 drill stations will Bucyrus Acquires TEREX Mining be developed for 120 drill holes. The company is planning on collect- ing a 10,000-ton bulk sample for metallurgical analysis. Work is scheduled into 2011. We Are One! Northwest of Twin Bridges, Teras Resources Inc. and Rick Childers have renovated the gravity mill at the Watseca mine. The company plans on reopening old workings in the Rochester area for potential mill feed. Near Virginia City, John and Mike Magnus have started development on a gold placer in upper Alder Gulch. Due to permitting delays, the project got started just before the first freeze. Full production is scheduled for the 2010 field season. St. Lawrence Co. drove a decline to examine drill intercepts of gold structures in Norwegian Creek.

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14 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 West of Dillon, Silica Resources, Inc. drilled a number of holes on The Spring Creek mine located near Decker reduced production by the Elkhorn mine deposit near the ghost town of Coolidge. 1.9 percent to 17,608,969 tons of coal. South of Nye, Nevoro, Inc. was acquired by Starfield Resources, Inc. Signal Peak Energy, LLC increased their 2009 production at the Both companies have interests in copper-nickel ore bodies. This acqui- Bull Mountain mine by 364 percent to 866,772 tons with the instal- sition provides Starfield Resources access to extensive resources of lation of a longwall mining system. They also completed a railroad both copper–nickel and chromite deposits. Starfield Resources has not branch line to the mine from Lockwood to facilitate unit-train vol- yet announced their intent on activities in the Stillwater Complex. umes of coal. The company is slowly increasing production to the anticipated level. Coal (Fig.1) In 2009, Arch Coal, Inc. acquired the private leases for the Otter Statewide coal production declined 11.8 percent to 39,642,708 tons Creek coal field and added state leases in 2010. Initial production of for 2009. This reflects a general reduction in demand for industrial these resources is anticipated to take seven years. energy corresponding to the overall decline in the economy. Late in Maple Resources Corp. has acquired leases on properties near the 2009, Rio Tinto spun off Rio Tinto Energy America to Cloud Peak Bull Mountain mine. The company has permitted a 300,000-ton test Energy (CLD). The new company will operate two mines in Wyoming, pit located eight miles south of Melstone. Their interest is in the Spring Creek Coal and a 50 percent ownership of Decker Coal Co. Rio McCleary and Carpenter coal seams that are initially surface Tinto retained a 48.3 percent ownership of the company. minable. They have not received a mining permit but anticipate Production at the individual mines showed significant changes at a operations at their Snider Ranch deposit as well as the Maple few sites. Decker Coal Co. had a decrease of 34.4 percent in their com- Carpenter Creek deposit. bined production of the East and West Decker mines. Part of the decrease was reported as a buyout of some long-term contracts. The Acknowledgments West Decker mine was down 73 percent in production to 1,720,374 The author thanks the mining companies, Montana Department tons. Projections are that the West Decker mine will close in about 1.5 of Environmental Quality’s Environmental Management Bureau and years because of declining quality and increasing overburden. The Industrial and Energy Minerals Bureau, small miners, the U.S. Forest East Decker mine increased production 393 percent to 2,886,162 tons. Service, and the Bureau of Land Management mineral administra- Near Savage, Westmoreland Savage Corp. decreased production by tors for their invaluable contributions to this report. ✦ 5.4 percent to 337,061 tons at the Savage strip mine. This is Montana’s only lignite mine. The operation feeds the Lewis and Clark Station, which is located in Sidney and owned by the Montana- Dakota Utilities Co. At Colstrip, Western Energy Co. reduced production by 21.2 percent to 10,105,036 tons at the Rosebud mine. This reduction is attributed to a cracked turbine that had to be dismantled and shipped out for repairs at the Penn Power & Light power generation facility. Repairs took nearly eight months. The Colstrip Energy Limited Project (CELP) plant that dries out waste coal to enhance the quality noted an increase in production of 0.25 percent to 226,646 tons. Near Hardin, Westmoreland Resources, Inc. produced 5,911,688 tons from their Absaloka mine. Production was down about 7.5 percent from 2008.

digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 15 Member profile on Dolores Rife Her guess is as good as mine

By Debra Pitassy

’ll admit it: After nearly three and a half years in the office of the IMontana Mining Association, I still know next to nothing about Dolores standing in front of what her son, Carson Rife, rocks and minerals. As we sort through my personal collection of named the “Dolores Vein” at the Golden Arrow mine site. rocks, I can, however, tell you which one I think is the “prettiest”–a “I had a friend doing exploration up in the Judith Mountains,” says highly technical term I’m sure is thrown around at all the geological one of the MMA’s current directors, Fess Foster, Ph.D., CPG. “That’s hot spots throughout the state. All kidding aside, I’ve wondered in when I met Dolores and her husband John. They were just salt-of-the- these last few years if mining knowledge is something I’ll ever pick up. Enter Dolores Rife. Now I’m a believer. earth, good people.” From 1967 to 1971, Dolores and her late husband John owned the A statement like that isn’t unusual when it comes to Dolores. Wass Mercantile. To the residents of Roy, Montana, it was considered Accordingly, one of Dolores’ most prized possessions – her hard hat, a general store – but to Dolores, operating it was “disastrous”. That is, one she still uses today, came from another in the industry who held at least, until fate intervened. her in high regard. “A man from California came to the store and said he was looking for “I was going through the (MMA) convention and I didn’t have a hat silver,” Dolores explains. “I knew where there was a lot of shiny rock.” at the time. I was admiring a hard hat on display, and the man from Shiny rock, indeed; Dolores sent “the man from California” home the Christensen Boyles Corporation just gave it to me. He said, ‘You with a piece of rock, which was assayed and came back with a high know, Dolores, you’ve done a lot for this mining association … Here – level of molybdenum (or steel hardener, in terms even I can under- take it.’ So he gave me my hat.” stand). The level of molybdenum was so high, in fact, that the man Currently, Dolores owns the Golden Arrow Mining Co., LLC along wrote Dolores back and requested she “not tell anyone” because back with her son Carson and daughter-in-law Patti. Dolores hopes the then, that [level of molybdenum] was rare. operation will get going again soon; they are currently seeking an Just like that – with no prior mining education or experience – interested party to further the development of the property, which Dolores was given the first indicator that her knack for rocks was more was historically mined in the 1930s and ‘40s for gold and silver. Amax, than just a hobby. one of the various companies to explore the Golden Arrow Mine, Years later, Dolores found out about the “Golden Jack” claims in the drilled approximately 50 holes and reported a total of 56,500 con- Judith Mountains of Fergus County, Montana. Her husband, employed tained ounces of gold. by the Montana Department of State Highways (first as a surveyor and The “Golden Arrow” was named just as much for her husband’s love then as an engineer), helped Dolores get a lay of the land. of archery, and the many bobcats, elk, and deer the boys shot with After going through the painstaking process of legally acquiring the their bows throughout the years, as it was for the 12 arrows John property, Dolores took “samples” with friend Irene Philips. made and painted gold for Dolores. One of the 12 arrows still resides “I didn’t know what I was doing; it just looked good to me!” Dolores above the entry door of her home. laughs. “I had no idea what I was pounding into, but it was different- A walk around her yard will land you at a pile of rocks affectionately looking.” titled “the dump”, where you’ll find a rock (or two) for every visit Apparently, on some instinctive level she did know what she was doing. As a geologist would later tell her, “Anything that looks like it Dolores had made to her property throughout the years. And after shouldn’t be there is something to pursue.” nearly four decades of following around geologists and gaining knowl- It’s the Montana Mining Association’s annual meetings, however, to edge through other prospectors, Dolores can speak mineral with the which Dolores partially credits her education. best of them. “I had no geological education. I started going to the MMA’s semi- So, perhaps you won’t find “pretty” listed in the legend of a geo- nars to learn. I’d learn something from every one of them.” logical map. But then again, neither is intuition, insight, or just a Learn she did. In the late 1970s, she helped form the Fergus County plain old hunch. If I ever get around to rock hounding, I’ll keep in Chapter, going on to become the first female director of the MMA in mind a piece of advice Dolores would give the first timer: “Go with 1991. your gut.” ✦

16 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 Join us once again at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

embers enjoyed having meetings and activities at one location Field Trip/ M... and we did, too. Educational Option This year, our focus will surround health and safety. The success of The following tours are given our committee under Jerry Laughery has fueled a meeting dedicated together, as part of a package. to health and safety issues and presentations. Highlights from our • Tour of Montana Resources agenda include: Montana Resources, one of • A panel on health and safety: Safety professionals from major mine The Washington Companies, sites around the state will be leading the panel and addressing your has operated in Butte since questions. 1985, operating an open-pit • FLRA and hazard recognition with Tim Kilbreath, CMSP, manager of copper and molybdenum health and safety for Barrick Gold of NA Inc. mine. The operation com- • A presentation and Q&A with Mark Savit, Patton Boggs, LLP on Day prises the Continental 2 of the agenda. Mr. Savit has expertise in many areas, including mine, crushers and a con- health and safety law, environmental law, public lands law, oil, gas, centrator facility where chemicals, mining, and related litigation and legislative services. tons of raw ore are processed into high-quali- As always… ty metal concentrates. Attendees can look forward to an opening social, closing banquet, • Tour of the Copper King Mansion and optional activities such as the popular four-person golf scramble The Copper King Mansion is a 34-room residence of Victorian archi- or our educational tours. tecture built between 1884 to 1888 as the primary residence of Golf Scramble William Andrews Clark – one of Montana’s three famous Copper Fairmont Hot Springs Resort’s golf course features an outstanding Kings who, through his many mining and banking ventures, 6,741-yard, 18-hole, par-72 layout. Fairmont’s “mile high, mile long” became one of the wealthiest men in the world. By 1900, Clark had fifth hole is recognized as one of the most challenging among amassed a personal fortune estimated at $50,000,000. Montanan golf courses. The green is a mile high and the tee box is 649 The home features fresco-painted ceilings, elegant parquets yards away, making this par five the longest hole in Montana. of rare imported wood, gas and electric chandeliers, ornate Fairmont’s third hole features Montana’s largest green, a three-tiered hand-carved fireplaces and stairways, and stained-glass win- 10,000-square-foot putting surface. Please be sure to provide your dows. The mansion was added to the National handicap when signing up for the four-person scramble. Register of Historic Places in 1970. ✦

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digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 17 World Museum of Mining promotes important mining heritage to the public Needs capital in order to preserve existing facilities and provide for future museum activities and exhibits

By Tina Green, Executive Director, World Museum of Mining

he World Museum of Mining (WMM) substantial cultural and historical aspects vation of cultural and historical artifacts. Topened in 1965 on the site of the of the community. AMC agreed, and the rest is history. original Orphan Girl Mine yard, located on In danger of losing resources that inter- The mission statement of the World the northwestern edge of Butte. At the preted Butte’s and the region’s past, a vol- Museum of Mining was developed and time, the economy of Butte was changing, unteer group encouraged the Anaconda still clearly describes its purpose and moving from deep underground mining Mining Company (AMC), which was the intent. to large-scale open-pit mining. This shift holder of the vast mining properties “The mission of the World Museum of meant neighborhoods and underground spread throughout the area, to donate the Mining is to preserve the rich historical mines would be swallowed up by the Orphan Girl mining property for the pur- legacy of mining, the related culture of open-pit mining, leaving no trace of the pose of establishing a place for the preser- Butte, Montana and the surrounding

18 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 region, and to promote the significant min- guided 65 feet below the surface into the ing heritage by educating the public with a 2,700-foot-deep Orphan Girl Mine, hearing perspective toward total family interest.” stories and seeing equipment work along The museum was established by volun- the way. teers, and continued to be supported sole- The town at the base of the Orphan Girl ly by volunteers as the museum and its is named “Hell Roarin’ Gulch.” This repli- extensive artifact and photograph collec- cated turn-of-the-century mining town tion continued to build throughout the contains some original structures from years. The first professional staff was hired Butte neighborhoods that were originally in the early 1990s. The museum still relies slated for destruction as open-pit mining heavily on the support and help from its expanded in Butte. Contained within the many volunteers. Today, the museum buildings throughout the Gulch are histori- employs a small staff: an executive direc- cal and cultural artifacts from the history tor, a curator, maintenance staff and part- of Butte and the surrounding region. time seasonal staff. The museum is also home to an exten- The museum’s centerpiece is the Orphan sive photograph archives collection. The Girl Mine yard marked by the 100-foot-high collection today contains over 22,000 pho- gallows frame, or head frame, and associ- tographs, negatives, and glass plate nega- ated mining buildings and equipment. The tives. These photographs display every- museum allows visitors to imagine what it thing from interior shots of the under- might have been like to work in the veins ground mines and equipment to historic below the city of Butte or actually experi- buildings and events in the area, as well as ence it through an underground mine tour. photographs of the famous and everyday When taking the underground mine tour, people who lived in and visited Butte. guests are fitted with miner’s hard hats, The newest exhibit at the museum is the cap lamps and battery belts. Visitors are Miners’ Memorial Wall and Remembering

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BringBring AMEC Geomatrix’sGeomatrix’s experienceexperience toto youryour projectprrooject in:

front-endfrroont-end studiesstudies metallurgicalmetallurrggical prprocessroocesss ddevelopmentevveelopment facilityfacility andand plantplant designdesign geotechnicalgeotechnical engineeringengineerinng and environmentalenvirroonmental servicesservices projectprrooject and cconstructiononssttructionn managementmanagement permittingpermitting andand closureclosurree expertiseexpertise

HelenaHelena TTeTel:el: (406) 442-0860 [email protected] [email protected]

Reno ElkoElkko EEnglewoodngleewwwoood Phoenix TTeTel:el: (775) 331-2375 TTeTel:el: ((775)775) 778-3200 TTeTel:el: (303) 433-433-0262-0262 TTel:el: ((480)480) 940-2320 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] amec.comamec.com

digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 19 Garden. Black granite slabs are engraved with the names of over 2,500 men who lost their lives in mining, smelting, railroad or concentrator accidents in Butte-Silver Bow. The number of mining Nelson deaths in Butte exceeds that of any other hard rock mining district Brothers in the Western Hemisphere. MINING SERVICES, LLC The museum has two additional collections: the Samie Keith Dollhouse and Doll Exhibit and a large mineral collection that com- pliments the one on display at the Mineral Museum located on the Montana Tech campus. In an effort to advance preservation and guarantee the museum’s survival for many years to come, the museum applied for and received grants that allowed them to bring museum professionals onsite to assess, not only the collections, but the buildings and infrastructure as well. Two areas of major concern were addressed: the electrical system and deferred building maintenance. The museum was originally established in 1963, with much of the reconstruction of the site taking place in the 1970s and 1980s. Throughout the construction and remodeling of the museum buildings, much “patchwork” of the electrical systems took place. The electrical system has been a concern of the museum, and has been repeatedly cited in studies and assessments of the museum per- formed over the past few years. A recently-competed risk assessment has identified the electrical system as the number-one risk, and it is For more information on our complete line of rated extremely high. A project plan has been developed to mitigate products and services contact our Sales/Technical Office @ 800-533-6267 the electrical issues and provide for the ability to expand the museum activities and exhibits in the future.

20 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010

The current electrical environment does Matching funds will be required for any not allow for proper lighting of exhibits, grant the museum receives. If you are adequate electrical feeds or outlets, or interested in helping to raise funds for heating/cooling or humidity control where these two critical projects or if you necessary. The risk of fire, electrocution or wish to make a contribution to the other hazards at this stage is extremely projects, please contact Tina or high. The project will provide for the repair Dolores at the museum: (406) 723- and replacement of necessary wiring and 7211. Your support would be most val- systems, and assure safe operations with ued and appreciated. regard to fire, electrocution or other safety Finally, if you are in the vicinity of hazards. Currently, the museum and its the World Museum of Mining in the contents are at high risk for fire and other near future, please stop by to visit and damage. enjoy a journey into Butte’s historical The assessments also point out an imme- and fascinating past. Your detour will diate need for a building and infrastructure be worth the effort. ✦ maintenance plan. Further, the plan must include funding and staffing needs for implementation. The museum is working diligently on this plan, including the recom - mendations made during the assessment to protect the large collection housed in the buildings and to maintain the historical integrity of the buildings. The limited staff and funds will have to be dramatically increased to maintain and operate this facility. A major capital campaign would help to fund the preservation of the buildings, and an endowment would be beneficial to assist with operation and long-term maintenance of the facility. The museum is in the process of applying for grants to fund both projects.

I/We are pleased to assist with the preservation efforts at the World Museum of Mining:

Palladium Level - $10,000 & above Platinum Level - $5,000 - $9,999 Gold Level - $1,000 - $4,999

Other ______

Amount Enclosed ______

Pledge (to be paid later) ______(1 to 5 years)

NAME ______SIGNATURE ______

We deeply appreciate your gift and commitment to the advancement of preservation efforts at the World Museum of Mining. Please return this form with your payment. You will receive a receipt promptly acknowledging your contribution. All gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.

WORLD MUSEUM OF MINING

22 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 MT voters’ mode uncovered in chamber poll

By Jon Bennion, Government Relations Director for the Montana Chamber of Commerce

he results of the Montana Chamber of decisions in treating workers fairly when it chambers of commerce, agriculture groups TCommerce’s annual poll of Montana comes to benefits, hiring and firing employ- and more. When asked whether a chamber voters are in and they reveal some interest- ees, and protecting the environment. Only 19 of commerce endorsement of a candidate ing new political and economic trends that percent of Montana voters support raising would influence their vote, 51 percent of vot- may affect your business. The Power Base (P- taxes on businesses, compared with 65 per- ers said it would have a positive effect, com- base) is an annual scientific survey of 600 cent who want to see taxes decrease or stay pared to only 16 percent who said it would Montana voters, conducted on a variety of the same. have a negative effect (35 percent net posi- business and political issues with a margin of tive). Even more popular are agriculture Health Care error of 4.1 percent. The poll is done to find groups, with 68 percent of respondents sup- Respondents in the poll expressed signifi- out what regular Montanans think about portive of their positive endorsements of cant satisfaction levels with their own health important economic issues facing our state. candidates, compared to only seven percent care insurance. Almost three-quarters of Here are some of the results: negative (61 percent net positive). those polled (74 percent) said they were sat- Whose endorsements have more of an Economic Development isfied, while only 15 percent said they were overall negative impact on candidates? Trial Not surprisingly, unemployment levels are dissatisfied. Half of Montanans want lawyers (-40 percent net negative), environ- a top concern for Montanans. Forty percent Washington, D.C. to scrap the current health mental groups (-18 percent net negative) and listed it as the top problem facing our state; care proposals and draft new legislation that would address rising costs. labor unions (-nine percent net negative). the next highest problem, health care, was a When asked about the upcoming elections third of that level at 15 percent. Montanans Concerns of Voters for the Montana state legislature, voters are want to get back to work, and they are look- The P-base is also a good opportunity to more likely (46 percent) to want to replace ing for businesses to provide the jobs. see what financial concerns are on the minds their local legislator rather than re-elect As in prior surveys, the P-base shows of voters. For the fourth straight year, health them (34 percent). Additionally, Republicans Montanans want to see more business care costs continue to be the top concern at have a slight edge going into the legislative growth, especially in high-wage businesses 24 percent of the voting population; high elections; 32 percent prefer GOP candidates like natural resources industries. For exam- taxes came in second at 18 percent. for the legislature, while 25 percent prefer ple, 78 percent of Montana voters want the Additionally, addressing the unemployment state to encourage more timber production, Democrats. situation is the top issue (18 percent) voters 76 percent want more oil and gas develop- want addressed in the coming elections, ment, 71 percent want more coal develop- Conclusions while health care (17 percent) is a not-so-dis- The message from the survey is clear: ment and 70 percent want more mining. In tant second. In addition, it would appear a Montanans want to see the state move addition, almost two-thirds of Montanans candidate will do well if he or she takes a jab toward long-term, sustainable growth by say the land board should go forward with or two at government involvement in our increasing natural resource development, the Otter Creek coal tracts leasing. own lives. Fifty-nine percent of respondents improving our business climate, and creating Montanans are still pessimistic about the said government in general is getting too more good-paying jobs. So what can you do national economy. Fifty-three percent of vot- involved in our daily lives and is spending to keep Montana on the right track? ers believe the U.S.’s economy is on the too much money; only 31 percent said gov- wrong track, as opposed to 24 percent who ernment wasn’t doing enough on issues like First, identify who the pro-business candi- think we are on the right track. Voters education, health care and the environment. dates are in your local and statewide elec- believe the state’s economy is better off, with tions in 2010. Second, support those candi- 41 percent saying we’re on the right track 2008 Elections dates with donations, volunteer time and versus 34 percent saying it’s the wrong track. When it comes to candidate endorse- your vote on Election Day. Third, be a vocal Strong majorities of voters believe busi- ments, voters respect candidates who get supporter of good business ideas in the leg- nesses can be trusted to make important stamps of approval for business groups, like islature. ✦

digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 23 More than palling around

Working with Provider Pals©, one Butte woman teaches about mining by sharing her own experiences

By Nicole Ritter

t a time when 80 percent of Americans Meeting Garwood changes that. As part of Provider Pals©, Garwood is Alive in urban areas and few have any Now in her third year with the program, “adopted” by classrooms around the coun- contact with professions like mining and she became involved after hearing Bruce try and then spends the school year corre- logging, Gretchen Garwood and Provider Vincent – a third-generation logger and the sponding with the classes. She answers © Pals are educating children one classroom executive director of Provider Pals© – speak questions ranging from mine safety to the at a time. at a conference. size of her truck, usually via email, and pre- Provider Pals© is a cultural exchange pro- pares “diaries” about her work for them. “I thought it sounded intriguing because I gram that links school children to the peo- “The kids want to know all different kinds love kids and I love mining,” Garwood ple who get their hands dirty every day pro- of things, and it varies from classroom to explains. “I thought it would be a perfect fit.” viding the basics of daily life: farmers, classroom and by state,” she says. After talking with Vincent, she approached ranchers, loggers, oil field workers, com- With a family background in the mining her employer, Montana Tunnels Mining Inc., mercial fishers, and miners like Garwood. industry, a degree in mining engineering © The 33-year-old Malta native doesn’t about working with Provider Pals . from Montana Tech, and more than a match people’s ideas of what a “miner” “I look at it as an investment,” Montana decade of experience, Garwood is supreme- looks like. In fact, to a fifth grader in Tunnels general manager Tim Smith says. ly qualified to personalize mining culture. Florida, mining itself might be no more real “To have someone like Gretchen doing this “My dad worked at the Zortman Mine than the dwarfs in Snow White “Hi-Ho-ing” program, explaining the mining industry to growing up, so I got my interest in mining off to work. kids, it’s just excellent all around.” from that,” she says. “I thought it was fasci-

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24 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 nating that you could essentially dig in a a wolf and learn about environmental “At first they thought I said ‘lawyer’,” he pile of dirt and come out with a precious issues through that relationship. chuckles. “But when I explained it, they metal.” “I knew that the people bringing the wolf were absolutely enthusiastic.” Garwood caps each year by visiting the wouldn’t just be talking about the wolf, they Since 1997, some 60,000 students classrooms. Bringing mining equipment would be talking about politics,” he says. throughout the United States and Canada and gear to share with the students, she “They would be saying that logging is bad, have gone through the program, and also signs “Pal” certificates. Vincent says that that ranching is bad. When people want to Vincent believes that Garwood and the the process of getting to know the mining vilify those who work with their hands, they other “Providers” are making a real impact. industry through Garwood’s eyes gives stu- use these charismatic megafauna, so I “We are so disjointed,” he explains. dents a valuable new perspective. asked the teacher if the class would want to “We’re three generations from the farm, and “She works in mining, but the most adopt a logger as well.” people have no idea where their stuff important thing is that they have met He moved that message out of Montana comes from. Intelligent people are trying to Gretchen, the person,” he says. “She helps after a frustrating afternoon testifying in make complex decisions, but they don’t them see that industries are full of people, front of a Senate subcommittee. have any interaction with the people who just like our cities are. At Provider Pals© we “These people were very intelligent, but © don’t do politics, but we hope that some- not about forestry,” Vincent says. “I realized make their stuff. Provider Pals gives just day, when these kids are called upon to that we’ve got to talk to people before that.” help society make decisions about our they’re 62 years old and pushing a red or The teaching goes both ways, Garwood industries, they will remember Gretchen.” green button that dictates the future health adds. Vincent, who lives in Libby, says the of my kids’ forests.” “It’s really amazing – one of the most fas- Provider Pals© concept came to him after he He found an elementary school six blocks cinating things I’ve done,” she enthuses. gave a classroom talk about logging and from the Capitol, walked in and asked if “And I learn as much from them as they do found out the class was planning to “adopt” they wanted to adopt a logger. from me.” ✦

digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 25 MNHC adds new mining trunk to its program Helps promote youth appreciation, understanding and stewardship of nature through education

he Montana Natural History Center (MNHC), an environmental of mining in Montana, and mining today. Each section begins with a Teducation non-profit in Missoula, recently added a new mining brief introduction to the topic, and contains five to six lessons that trunk to their Nature Discovery Traveling Trunk program. The trunk, are designed to teach students geology concepts using examples of originally designed by Washington Companies intern Meghan Walsh, rocks and minerals found in Montana. The curriculum also refer- was enhanced through a Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation ences Montana’s rich mining history to provide relevant and place- grant. Additional work to enhance the science and geology content based experiences and lessons to students, and there is an extensive was done by MNHC naturalist Alyssa McLean, former teacher Carrie appendix that provides teachers with important supplemental mate- Brunger, and Tad Dale of Montana Resources in Butte. rials on mining in Montana. The curriculum guide, specific for fourth through sixth-grade Although the curriculum is strongly science-based, many of the classrooms, showcases four main topics: rocks, minerals, the history lessons are cross-disciplinary and teach important math, language

26 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 Photos courtesy of Alyssa McLean, Montana Natural History Center. arts, history, literacy, and art concepts. One lesson has students researching a mineral mined in Montana and then creating a news- paper article to share information about it. Another lesson has students mimicking the formation of metamorphic rocks using crayons, and an introductory lesson to minerals involves students creating watercolor resist paintings to determine how minerals reveal themselves in rocks. The most interesting elements of the trunk are the mineral and rock collections. Because many of the materials required for lessons may not be available to teachers, the trunk includes an extensive supply of minerals and rock samples to keep the lessons hands-on and engaging for students. The trunk also includes all the posters, books, and art supplies needed for lessons, and hence only requires the teacher to supply basic materials. It is the hope of the MNHC that revising the mining trunk will allow teachers to teach geology and mineral extraction in new and imaginative ways using geologic examples and history found in their communities. This new educational discovery trunk has been well-received by teachers who have utilized it in their classes. Overall, MNHC’s Nature Discovery Traveling Trunk program offers 22 different resource trunks for use in classrooms and youth programs across Montana. Topics include biology, botany, geology and other sciences. Each trunk features a theme and includes a wealth of resources not readily available to teachers. In 2009, MNHC shared trunks with more than 180 teachers and 2,300 students in Montana. MNHC has been a leader in natural history education in the region for the last 19 years, through programs for schools and the community and by encouraging explorers of all ages to discover more about the natural world. The mission of MNHC is to promote and cultivate the appreciation, understanding and stewardship of nature through education. To this end, they provide more than 20 different programs and projects annually for community members of all ages, with many additional special program options, events and partner- ships throughout the year.

To reserve the mining trunk and learn more about the Nature Discovery Traveling Trunk program, or other programs of the Montana Natural History Center, please visit www.MontanaNaturalist.org or call the office at 406-327-0405. ✦

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digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 27 Big mine, small footprint

Rio Tinto Minerals’ Montana operations hold annual Rio Tinto Minerals’ Teachers Minerals Education workshops for K-12 teachers to give them a look at earth science in action, and to demonstrate the importance of minerals as the building Montana operations blocks of life and modern living.

ontana is famous for big dinosaurs, because we understand how people expect formance when we received the Montana Mbig geysers and a big sky overhead. It us to operate. Simply put, they want business Governor’s Safety Award. is also home to the United States’ biggest talc to behave responsibly, whether that’s mak- We also measure our social performance mine. The Yellowstone mine is a world-class ing our environmental footprint smaller, or through our contributions to the local com- our social and economic contribution bigger. deposit, and our talc is used in a wide range munity. Children of all ages love dinosaurs, of consumer products that help keep the and we love getting them interested in sci- Social Performance planet green. We measure our social performance by ence – which is why we are proud to support Our operation has been successful for our ability to provide good jobs and a safe the Museum of the Rockies. The museum is more than 70 years because we make prod- working environment to employees – and we home to a world-famous fossil collection and ucts that people want and need – but also were proud to be recognized for that per- paleontology program curated by Dr. Jack

Brenntag Paciﬁ c, Inc. 7535 Mossmain Lane, Billings, MT 59106 J. Mark Redfern Telephone: (406) 628-3640 | Fax: (406) 628-2072 Cell Phone: (406) 671-4105 | Email: [email protected] “Chemicals for the Mining Industry”

28 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 The talc we mine here in Montana is used to make the plastics, catalytic converters, diesel filters and tires that, in turn, make cars and trucks lighter and more fuel-efficient. Our talc is also used to make construction materials like paint and decking longer-lasting and more environmentally friendly.

Horner, who served as science advisor to the entiating our products and services in the Two of the major growth drivers for our Jurassic Park films. Science doesn’t get any marketplace, remaining cost-competitive in products have to do with where these people cooler than that! our operations and growing our business in will live, and what they will drive. According We also support other initiatives aimed at promising markets. Our ore body is unique to the United Nations, by 2030, 60 percent of developing the next generation of scientists, in its purity and physical properties, giving us the world’s population will be living in urban including inviting teachers to our operations access to markets in North America, South centers. Urbanization requires more homes to get a practical experience and continuing America, Asia and Europe. and infrastructure to support more people. As education credits through our Teachers Global markets, however, mean global a result, demand for building materials and Minerals Education workshops. competitors – many of whom have lower consumer goods made with talc – such as costs and less stringent regulatory frame- architectural and industrial paints, composite Environmental Performance works. To stay in the race, we anticipate and decking, joint compound, adhesives, paper, Our location – just 60 miles from adapt to what our customers need – includ- cardboard and body powders – will rise. Yellowstone National Park – serves as a con- ing consistent product quality and supply The number of cars on the road is expect- stant reminder that we need to protect the reliability – and invest in research and devel- ed to triple between 1985 and 2020. Today, environment and minimize our footprint. We opment to develop the next generation of the average car contains more than eight feel privileged to live and work here; and talc products and processes. pounds of talc. Rio Tinto Minerals recently since our livelihoods rely on natural This investment has helped position our introduced a new generation of specialty talc resources, our commitment to responsible grades that will make car parts and tires even business to take advantage of rising demand environmental stewardship is one the entire lighter and more fuel-efficient, increasing for our products in the years ahead, driven workforce shares. the intensity of its use in the process. primarily by population growth, urbaniza- We work to reduce the water and energy As a world leader in talc supply and sci- tion and energy conservation trends. we consume, as well as reduce the green- ence, Rio Tinto Minerals will continue to The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that house gas emissions we produce. We have develop new products and technologies to the average lifetime supply of minerals is successfully lowered these emissions by 25 meet growing world demand. Strong eco- approximately 1.3 million pounds per per- percent or more in different parts of our nomic performance will, in turn, give us the son and growing. Population growth is operations by making major investments in means to continue investing in reducing our equally astonishing: it took a century for better equipment and technology. We are environmental footprint and improving our world population to grow from one billion to also proud of our products’ contribution to social and economic contribution. the environment. two billion (between 1830 to 1930), and it The talc we mine here in Montana is used will take about the same amount of time to To find out more about our big mine and to make the plastics, catalytic converters, grow from two billion to nine billion people small footprint, please visit www.riotin- diesel filters and tires that, in turn, make cars (1930 to 2050). tominerals.com. ✦ and trucks lighter and more fuel-efficient. Our talc is also used to make construction materials like paint and decking longer-last- Truly Full Service ing and more environmentally friendly. Complimentary Breakfast Buffet Business Center ~ High Speed Internet Finally, almost all the paper you use every Indoor S Indoor Solarium Pool, Jacuzzi, & Sauna day contains talc – paper manufacturers use VJ’s Restaurant ~ VJ’s Restaurant - Mane Lounge it in the paper itself, as well as the process Streamside Sundeck ~ Fitness Center where it helps them increase their use of Airport Shuttle Service ~ Pets are Welcome recycled paper. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2100 Cornell Ave ~ Butte, MT Economic Performance 800-443-1806 We generate value for our shareholders, www.buttewarbonnet.com employees and the local economy by differ-

digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 29 Happy Birthday GNA! An innovative approach to responsible management and environmental protection celebrates its 10th anniversary

en years ago, Stillwater Mining Company (SMC), the Northern was rarer yet. Environmental gridlock and a “culture of conflict” dom- TPlains Resource Council, the Stillwater Protective Association and inated the natural resources landscape when it came to the permitting the Cottonwood Resource Council (referred to as the Councils) estab- and developing of mineral projects, and litigation was commonplace. lished an innovative agreement that strives to protect the natural envi- SMC and the Councils were no strangers to this type of gridlock, and ronment while encouraging responsible economic development. The had in the past locked horns on a variety of mine development issues. “Good Neighbor Agreement” (GNA) is a legally binding contract that After many years of strife and controversy, the Councils approached has become a template for dispute resolution and positive interaction SMC about the concept of a good neighbor agreement. in the permitting and development of natural resources projects. SMC’s history of proactive environmental management and a tradi- Only a decade ago, reaching a win-win agreement between a min- tion of community involvement, philanthropy and best management ing company and local stakeholders was a rarity, and reaching the practices made such an agreement attractive to Stillwater, especially same type of agreement with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) given the potential that it held to reduce conflict and litigation while

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30 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 enhancing environmental and economic stability. As North America’s largest producer of palladium, used primarily in catalytic converters and other clean air technologies, SMC had become intrinsically motivated and committed to minimize its environmental footprint and to look for ways to increase operational sustainability. Conceptual agreement and formal negotiations were laborious and lengthy, taking the better part of a year to complete, and implementation of the multifaceted agreement required an additional 18 months to put into place. Today, looking back on the 10-year anniversary, the significance and relevance of the GNA remains intact and SMC remains committed to the process. The GNA is a force for positive change within the natural resource industry, and further demonstrates a willingness on the part of the participants to break with the failed policies and practices of the past. The legally binding agreement strives to preserve the interests of all parties through interaction, discussion and proactive mitigation within the context of a structured plan. The fact that the GNA is legally binding dissuades many organizations from entering into such an agreement; however, it is specifically this element of the GNA that provides the structure and incentive nec- ture and process of the agreement. The GNA also provides the Councils essary to keep all parties at the table until a resolution has been a voice in the decision-making process, and an opportunity to review reached. Additionally, interaction and ongoing discussion within the and comment on plans, procedures and proposed mitigation upfront implementation phase of the project helps develop an openness and in the planning stage, where issues can be mitigated and addressed in transparency that leads to a better understanding and respect for the a positive proactive atmosphere. This process further minimizes the issues and concerns of both parties. This benefit is a natural side effect potential for conflicts and legal challenges that can slow or stall of the process, and ultimately builds credibility and trust for the struc- important development activities, and provides a level of confidence

Stillwater Mining Company, listed on the NYSE (SWC), is the only U.S. producer of palladium and platinum and the only significant primary source of

platinum group metals outside of South Africa and Russia. These precious metals are essentials in automotive catalysts used to convert otherwise harmful air pollutants into harmless emissions. As well these elements are used in jewelry, electronic, dental and medical applications. Stillwater’s Intermountain West Energy mining operations are located in southern Montana along the 150 Sheep Camp Road Company controlled 28-mile long J-M Reef, the world’s highest-grade Whitehall, MT 59759-9647 deposit of platinum group metals. Phone: 406.287.3229

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digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 31 and predictability in mine development and permitting that is unique to the GNA. The practical implementation and ensuing benefits of the Good Neighbor Agreement have fully convinced Bruce Gilbert, SMC’s director of environmental and governmental affairs, that the GNA remains as important as ever as an example of positive social change within the natural resources arena. “At first, I was very skeptical about our ability to negotiate and implement a lasting Agreement, but the process has with- stood the test of time and I remain even more convinced that it’s the right way to do business,” he says. “Trying to settle dis- putes in court or with administrative appeals is a culture of conflict that is socially irresponsible from the standpoint that it generates no understanding, develops no common ground, and provides no incentive for ongoing discussion and positive interaction.” This ground-breaking accord lends credence to the adage that you can ‘have your cake and eat it, too.’ Crafting and implementing this type of agreement isn’t easy, quick or without its obstacles; however, it is, in SMC’s view, the right way to vet our differences while seeking to enhance understanding and constructively resolve issues. So SMC says, “Happy Birthday, GNA!” May you continue to thrive and prosper to the benefit of all who believe that responsible mining, environmental protection and important economic development can co-exist. ✦

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32 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine achieves greatest level of mining excellence No Lost Time Incidents for second year in a row

n 2009, for the second year in a row, Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine 5B Optimized layback is ten percent ahead of schedule. In 2009, I(BGSM) realized the greatest level of success and excellence any nearly 27 million tons of material was moved from the open pit. mining operation can expect: no Lost Time Incidents. Early in 2010, Three new Caterpillar 785 150-ton capacity haul trucks were also BGSM achieved an industry milestone of distinction: One Million purchased so that BGSM could reach the pay zone eight months Man-Hours worked without a Lost Time Incident. Further, BGSM sooner than originally planned. boasts one of the lowest Mine Safety and Health Administration Additionally, BGSM is evaluating the feasibility of a myriad of proj- (MSHA) citation rates in the industry. ects, both on-site and off-site, that could enable them to restart their These accomplishments are no accident. They can only be milling operations as early as January 2011. On-site, BGSM is looking achieved by a dedicated, skilled and motivated workforce with a at a shallow resource adjacent to the existing open pit; this resource mind-set that worker safety is paramount in any task undertaken could supply as much as 2.5 million tons of ore to the mill. and that Courageous Leadership – employees looking out for other However, it is the off-site projects that are the most exciting, and employees and contractors – is the linchpin of BGSM’s proven safety which are a demonstration of the renewal of interest in mining in culture. Montana. There are numerous smaller scale underground gold min- On the production front, $1,100 per ounce gold prices make this ing ventures that are quite profitable, if not burdened by the capital an exciting time to be operating a gold mine. The stripping of BGSM’s outlay of constructing their own ore processing facilities. Being the

“WORKING“ TOGETHER WITH OUR LOCAL ǧ ǳ

digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 33 only active large-scale gold ore processing facility remaining in Montana, BGSM is uniquely suited for custom milling projects. BGSM has proactively engaged several projects within the state to explore the feasibility of toll milling their produced ore. The company views toll milling not only as a means to supplement mill feed, but also as a way to stimulate entrepre- neurial development, enhance local economies, provide value-added employment within the state, and produce tax revenue for local and state governments. Additionally, BGSM has participated in abandoned mine reclamation efforts. At current gold prices, many abandoned

mine sites contain gold values exceeding GALLAGHER. KATHY CREDIT: PHOTO

34 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 reclamation costs. BGSM has processed PHOTO CREDIT: MARTY JOHNSON. materials delivered from several local abandoned mine sites and produced revenues in excess of the transportation, processing and site remediation costs. An excellent example of this was the delivery for processing of approximately 15,000 tons of historic tailing from the Rochester Basin near Twin Bridges; after processing the material at BGSM, the claim holder, his agent, and the trucking company made profits and the U.S. Department of Interior - Bureau of Land Management saved tens of thousands of dollars in reclamation costs. Moreover, residual tailings from material processed at BGSM are stored in a modern, synthetically- lined, permitted and fully bonded tailings impoundment. BGSM currently has an ore purchase agreement with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to process up to 100,000 tons of McLaren tailings from er funding for the remainder of the site BGSM has a long and distinguished repu- Cooke City. The tailings, located on the reclamation project. tation for innovative and ambitious concur- boundary of Yellowstone National Park and Barrick Gold is optimistic about the rent reclamation programs. The past sever- the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, are future of the gold market and its ability to al years were no exception; nearly 220 acres expected to generate revenue, perhaps even continue to produce gold in Montana. A have recently been completely reclaimed, enough revenue for MDEQ to off-set taxpay- demonstration of this optimism is a million with the majority of those acres in a natural dollar exploration budget for Golden regrade configuration. Hundreds more BISON Sunlight. This year, BGSM intends to con- acres are in various stages of reclamation. duct exploration drilling on geophysical tar- BGSM’s goal is to have all of the west-side ENGINEERING gets identified north and northeast of the dumps that were redisturbed by the 5B active mine area. The program amounts to Optimized layback completely reclaimed by approximately 15,000 feet of drilling. the end of 2012. ✦

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digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 35 PHOTO CREDIT: DEBRA PITASSY. The “lean” advantage A Dillon talc operation’s conversion to “lean manufacturing” is already bearing fruit

By Nicole Ritter

anufacturing efficiency ideas born in the U.S. and perfected in The principles—5S, Standard Work, Daily Management Control, and MJapan are now making an impact on mining in small-town TPM – sound at first like business speak alphabet soup. However, Montana. Daley insists they are not difficult to understand, adding they were Barretts Minerals Inc., a talc mining operation in Dillon with 74 largely the brainchild of W. Edwards Deming, an American statistics employees, is in the midst of a transition to “lean manufacturing,” an professor who went to Japan after World War II to assist with the recon- overarching methodology that seeks to eliminate waste and increase struction there. efficiency. Perhaps best known as the system that led to Toyota’s dom- “General (Douglas) MacArthur sent Deming to Japan, and Deming inance in the automotive industry, lean manufacturing is already ben- proposed some of the same efficiency and quality control ideas he efiting Barretts, according to plant manager Jim Daley. had offered to U.S. manufacturers,” he says. “The U.S. manufacturers, “I absolutely recommend it,” Daley says of the system that CEO Joe having just won the war, were not interested. But when Deming met Muscari has introduced to Minerals Technologies Inc., including the with the Toyota Motor Corp., they decided to adopt his ideas, eventu- Barretts operation. “The principles are all beneficial and valuable.” ally perfecting them into the Toyota Production System.”

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36 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 The first principle, 5S, is the foundation of lean management. Its name derives from five Japanese words that all start with the letter “S” when translated and transliterated into English – Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. All five words have to do with how the workplace is organized and maintained. “Sort means that you go through all the things that you keep around your workstation and figure out how often they are used,” Daley explains. “Set in Order involves arranging those things in the way that is the most efficient. The example most people use is that you keep your pen at your desk, within two or three inches of where you write. You use the stapler less, so it might go a foot away. A hole punch that you use once every other day can go in a drawer.” While the desk items make a good example, Daley notes the principles can just as easily apply to other kinds of work environments and tools, from crescent wrenches to cardboard boxes. Shine is shorthand for keeping the workplace not only neat but also very clean on a daily basis. According to Daley, this one has been especially helpful at Barretts. “We’ve seen a decrease in MHSA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) citations because our work area is cleaner and safer, with fewer tripping hazards,” he says. Standardize holds that work practices should be consistent throughout the organization. Daley explains that this allows multiple

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digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 37 When employed together, the lean manufacturing principles make companies more efficient, hold lower inventories and respond more quickly to customer needs. At Barretts, that has meant an ability to provide customers with what they want more quickly. “If we produce to order rather than hold inventory, a customer can change specifications and we can respond on their next order. This also reduces our carrying cost of the inventory,” Daley says. While still in the early phases of adoption – Daley estimates they are between 15 and 25 percent through the implementation – Barretts is already seeing benefits. “By adopting these principles, we are increasing our efficiencies, decreasing our number of in-shop violations, increasing our connec- tion to the customer and listening to the customer more,” Daley says. “The outcome is that we maintain less inventory, which helps the bottom line and gives more money for making investments and doing people to work efficiently in the same job. Sustain is simply making capital improvements.” the previous four “S” practices so ingrained that people don’t even Daley contends that making changes during these tough times has need to think about it, he adds. been difficult, but says it has not only helped Barretts weather the After the 5S principles comes Standard Work, which is used to improve efficiency in a person’s entire job, eliminating wasteful steps. storm but will also make Barretts a stronger company in the future. Daily Management Control sets targets for tasks within a company, “The journey that we’re on is very promising,” he concludes. allowing workers to shoot for a reasonable pace, improving when they fall behind or duplicating the efforts of those who improve on the tar- For More Information: To learn more about lean manufacturing and gets. It also prioritizes any problems that may arise by identifying how it can be successfully adapted to suit businesses in Montana, those that come up most often, Daley explains. manufacturers can turn to the Montana Manufacturing Extension “Both Standard Work and Daily Management Control work by elim- Center (MMEC). MMEC is a statewide manufacturing outreach and inating problems, which increases productivity,” he says. assistance center staffed by full-time professionals with degrees in engi- The final principle, Total Productive Maintenance or TPM, holds that neering and extensive experience in manufacturing and business in a workers can and should be responsible for the daily maintenance of variety of industries. Field staff will visit businesses on-site, assess oper- equipment, something made easier by the clean and orderly workplace. ations and provide recommendations for making improvements. “This helps the operators develop ownership of the equipment and According to the MMEC website (www.mtmanufacturingcenter.com), allows problems to be fixed while they are still small rather than wait- the grant-funded organization has provided assistance to 600 clients ing until the machine breaks,” Daley says. across Montana in 48 of Montana’s 56 counties. ✦

38 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 Montana Resources: A mining tradition, a mining family

By Tad Dale

Continental Mine, Montana Resources.

here would you be if you were 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the United States and beyond for use in products that sustain our cur- Wunderneath 14,000 pounds per square inch of pressure, and a rent way of life. mile below the earth’s surface? You would have been at the Montana Resources’ office location during the time of mineralization of the The People Continental ore deposit. It doesn’t take much digging around Montana Resources to find that even in a shifting economy, they have – due to a great business The Geology model – continued a lean and efficient operation, while maintaining The Butte Mining District had its origins some 75 million years ago production levels. “Our People Are Our Greatest Assets” – a motto that when a great heat source of molten rock squeezed its way to near sur- is not just PR; it’s a rule to live by. As VP of operations Steve Walsh face, an event that probably happened over the course of several mil- emphasizes to the workforce, “MR has a core value of being pro- lions of years. This area in southwestern Montana is known as the employee.” This means that there is a great amount of communica- Boulder Batholith, and the Butte Mining District is 25 square miles in tion with employees, who are encouraged to freely express themselves the southern portion of this large mass of igneous rock. The end result and who share in the net profits of the mine. of this geologic occurrence is truly a world-class ore deposit known as Employees realize they can’t control the price of metals, but they the “Richest Hill on Earth.” Montana, and the United States by exten- can work safely and focus on the job at hand. “There have been no lay- sion, is fortunate to have this mineral resource located in Butte, a offs during this economic downturn – in fact, due to retirees, we have place that was named after a prominent outcrop on the western edge had to hire replacements because we run this mine with no extra peo- of the district. ple,” states Tad Dale, VP of human resources. Seventy-seven percent The amount of copper removed from the Butte Mining District of those employed are Butte residents, while another 23 percent could pave a four-lane highway four inches thick extending from Butte reside in Anaconda, Philipsburg, Deer Lodge, Dillon, Whitehall, Three to a point 30 miles south of Salt Lake City – the equivalent to Forks, Basin, Boulder and Twin Bridges, making a workforce of friends, 23,000,000,000 (billion) pounds of copper. Even though this is a stag- relatives, and neighbors. gering amount of copper, there is “still plenty where that came from.” Montana Resources (MR) still has at least 25 years of recoverable ore The Safety Standard reserves ahead. Montana Resources sets a standard for safety in and around its Every day, over 50,000 tons of ore are hauled, crushed and milled, operations visually, with signs to remind employees that “safety is no thus providing copper concentrates – “humankind’s oldest metal” – as accident” as seen on the front page of the employee newsletter. The well as molybdenum concentrates that are some of the highest qual- operation also has its employees fill out Field Level Risk Assessments ity in the world. These concentrates are then shipped to locations in (FLRA) to determine if any potential hazards exist in the job they are

digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 39 PHOTO CREDIT: DEBRA PITASSY.

Three generations of the Galle family (left to right): Chad, Tyke and Cliff. about to perform. This tool gets employees certain: property damage, minor injury, total ees underwent eight hours of leadership thinking about possible dangers around injury frequency, and lost time rates have all training. The recurring course has been them by having them identify the steps to had steady declines since the re-opening of offered to all new employees to instill a cul- perform the task at hand, the potential haz- the mine in 2003. Montana Resources was ture of safety awareness. ards of the task and ultimately, the ways to also recently awarded The Joseph A. Holmes avoid those hazards. Safety Association Certificate of Honor for The Workers’ “We want employees to have the same achieving an entire year without a Lost Time Longevity and Loyalty thought process in every job they do, in Injury. MR employees are loyal. They are loyal to order to identify risks and avoid them,” says Learning from the success of their peers at Montana Resources and loyal to mining in safety manager Mike McGivern. Barrick’s Golden Sunlight Mine, Montana Butte. One hundred and sixteen current “Every one of these completed, is an acci- Resources has also adopted a “Courageous employees, out of a total of 347, have dent prevented,” states president Rolin Leadership” program to encourage employ- worked for MR for more than 10 years. Erickson to his employees during his daily ees to make safety a core value that is a part Additionally, some of MR’s senior employ- visits around the operation. One thing is for of their everyday lives. In 2008, all employees have worked at this location since the

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40 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 PHOTO CREDIT: DEBRA PITASSY.

Froth flotation in the concentrator. late 1950s, having worked for the Anaconda shutdown years of 2000 to 2003). Galle will Community Involvement Company and Atlantic Richfield before be 69 years old this year, and has decided to and Plans for the Future working at Montana Resources. This loyalty retire as continental garage supervisor at the An extensive two-year drilling plan is cur- is greatly appreciated. end of 2010 after 50 years of working. rently underway to determine the life of the Many families have two family members “They paid me well for everything I did,” mine on which so many in the community working at the mine; brothers, sisters, hus- Galle says. “I didn’t have to stay here; I chose depend. “Mining is, and always has been, band and wife, father and son, and uncle to stay.” His son, Tyke (Cliff the Third), started an important industry in Butte-Silver Bow,” and nephew. But one family has three gen- work in 1984, at the age of 17, for a subcon- says Jeff Amerman, finance and budget erations of family working at the mine; this tractor of Cleveland Wrecking when they director for Butte-Silver Bow. “It [mining] is the Galle family. Cliff Galle started with the were tearing down the smelter. When built our city and was instrumental in the Anaconda Co. in 1959 at the smelter in Montana Resources started in 1986, he came development of our great state. Mining Anaconda. He transferred to the Berkeley Pit on board. “My dad taught me everything I remains a cornerstone in Butte-Silver Bow,” operation in 1963 as a boilermaker, and know, and he is my best friend,” states Tyke, Amerman says. worked there until the Berkeley operation Montana Resources’ shovel and drill mainte- And with figures like $26.7 million dollars was shut down in 1982. Galle then returned nance supervisor. Tyke’s wife Cheri works as a in 2009 being pumped into the Butte Silver to Anaconda with Cleveland Wrecking Co. to buyer in the warehouse and Tyke’s son, Bow area in purchase orders, mineral taxes dismantle the Anaconda smelter, and Chad, just started full-time (he previously and property taxes, and another $1.3 mil- worked in the area for several years. Galle worked summers) as a laborer/truck driver lion in payroll per month – dollars that “can started with Montana Resources in 1986, and with MR. He is now 20 years old and will con- be turned around three times,” according to has been there since then (except during the tinue the family tradition of mining in Butte. Butte Local Development Corp.’s Jim

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digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 41 240-ton capacity haul trucks waiting to dump their ore. Springtime in the Rockies: Montana Resources’ reclaimed area.

Smitham – it’s no wonder why the mine can be referred to as cor- totes are then delivered to those who are less fortunate in Butte and nerstone of the community. the surrounding communities. Community development continues through multiple charitable “I am 72 years old, and have been fighting cancer for five years acts. Through regular contributions to the Dennis and Phyllis already. Now I will have a Merry Christmas,” wrote one gentleman Washington Foundation founded by the company’s owner, Montana who received one of the baskets in a letter addressed to the main Resources is able to pool with other affiliates to multiply its charita- office. “I have no relations in Butte, but now I know I have friends in ble impact in many areas of giving. Butte,” he stated. In 2009, donations of time and over $9,000 from employees, as “We continually forget about the significance of mining of the past well as an additional $8,500 from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington and presently, Montana Resources. Thanks to copper mining of the past, Foundation, went into making 368 Christmas food baskets – the all of us are able to enjoy the luxuries of electricity, automobiles and most ever assembled in the 16 year tradition. The “baskets” are large telephones,” says executive director of the Butte/Silver Bow Chamber of plastic totes filled with turkey, potatoes, milk, eggs, and other essen- Commerce Marko Lucich. “Montana Resources is a major part of our tial items that provide a fulfilling holiday breakfast and dinner. The community, and we are proud that they call Butte their home.” ✦ F&H MINE SUPPLY, INC.

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42 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 Chapter Report

he Missoula Chapter of the Montana Mining Association start- he Ravalli County Chapter of the Montana Mining Association Ted up its fall program with an October talk by Ted Antonioli on Tmeets the third Wednesday of each month (April through the Philipsburg Mining District. They’ve since heard from Tom October) in Victor, Montana. Chapter members can access outing Gignoux on gold in the Garnet Range; Robin McCulloch of the dates and location maps via the MMA website at www.mon- Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology on 2009 mining and explo- tanamining.org. ration in Montana; Mary Williams of the USFS on the history of plac- Scheduled outing dates for 2010 are as er mining in the Cedar and Ninemile districts; Zane Smith of follows: Timberline Resources on the Highlands Gold Project; and Bruce Cox May 15th and 16th at Trout Creek on the Keno Hill District in the Yukon. June 12th and 13th at Trout Creek They’ve also started a Facebook group to communicate with July 10th and 11th at Nevada Creek members. They are posting pictures of outings and mines as well as August 14th and 15th at Nevada Creek information about Montana mining projects. You can find their group by searching for “Montana Mining” on Facebook, and can join For more information on the Ravalli the group by sending a request via Facebook. Chapter of the MMA, contact Cliff Simonsen at 406-642-3293. For more information on the Missoula Chapter of the MMA, please contact Ted Antonioli via email at: [email protected].

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digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 43 American Mining Insurance Company: “Insurance from people who know mining”

ome insurance companies claim to And we’re with you every step of the way, We’ve been writing insurance in Shave their feet planted firmly on the whether it is deep in an underground Montana for a little over a year, but we’ve ground. We know what it is like to have mine or working in an above-ground specialized in providing insurance protec- your feet hundreds of feet below ground. quarry. tion to the mining industry since 1989. As American Mining has grown and expanded geographically, it has become the pre- ferred provider of insurance to many within the mining and aggregates industries. Offering primarily workers’ compensation, American Mining also provides general lia- bility, commercial automobile and umbrella coverage. In 2007, American Mining became a part of the W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB). As a part of the W. R. Berkley Cor- pora tion, American Mining Insurance Company has greater financial strength, an A. M. Best rating of A+ (Superior), and the ability to expand into additional states. That expansion includes significant growth in the Western United States, including Montana. Though American Mining is a recent addition to the W. R. Berkley Corporation, the leadership remains the same and continues to show a long-term commitment to the company and to the mining industry. Chandler F. Cox, Jr., American Mining’s president and chief executive officer, and Dominick Giovannelli, its executive vice president and chief financial officer, each have over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry and co-founded American Mining in 1989. American Mining has substantially added to our senior management in the past 12 months, significantly increasing our already extensive experience in both the insurance and mining industries. Our expertise continues to extend throughout the company. Many employees have been with American Mining since

44 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 1989. Others have been in the insurance industry for decades. Still others have experience with both mining and insurance, having worked in the mining industry before joining American Mining. Many employees have taken mine tours to better understand the complex world of both surface and underground mining.

American Mining Insurance Company distributes insurance products through a network of local independent insurance agents and offers insurance coverage for the following types of mines: sand and gravel, coal, copper, rock quarries, gold and silver, clay, shale, and limestone. Please visit www.AmericanMining.com, talk to your local insurance agent, or call Bryant Brown, vice president of marketing, at 800.448.5621, ext. 249 to learn more. ✦

Does Your Current Insurance Company “insurance from people who know mining” Understand YOUR Needs?

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digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 45 Hard work and diligence pays off for Holcim’s Trident Plant Wins 2009 Montana Governor’s Safety Award among other awards

he Holcim (US) Inc. Trident Plant in Three Forks, MT prides itself Tnot only on its quality cement products, but also on its safety performance. On March 27, 2010 they celebrated 1,000 days without a Lost Time Accident. This is an excellent record, especially for the mining industry. The Trident Plant has a variety of safety programs to ensure employees return home to their family and friends safely each and every day. Programs include: all-employee weekly housekeeping; weekly departmental safety meetings; monthly safety committee The programs focus on five lifesaving cardinal rules of Holcim Inc.: meetings; annual employee safety improvement projects; job safety • Do not override or interfere with any safety provision, nor allow analyses and risk assessments; safety observation systems; fatality pre- anyone else to override or interfere with them. vention elements; near miss reporting; incident investigation and • Personal protective equipment rules, applicable to a given task, analysis; continuous safety training (approximately 50 hours annual- must be adhered to at all times. ly); and an annual incentive program reward. • Isolation and lockout procedures must always be followed.

Holland & Hart has provided comprehensive representation for the mining industry for 60 years.

I Acquisition, disposition and financing of mineral projects worldwide I Financial and regulatory due diligence Larry W. Petersen I Development of mining infrastructure [email protected] I State and federal legislation for mining Donald W. Quander I Mineral patenting and permits [email protected] 401 North 31st Street, Suite 1500, Billings, MT 59101 I Title opinions, quiet title actions and title curative work Charles W. Hingle (406) 252-2166 I Access, surface/mineral owner and royalty dispute resolution [email protected] www.hollandhart.com I Environmental, public lands and NEPA issues

46 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 • No person may work if under the influence of alcohol or drugs. embraced because they are also part of each employee’s annual per- • All injuries and incidents must be reported. formance evaluation. Projects range from taking additional safety Of the many safety programs employed at Trident, three are specif- trainings (such as EMT or First Responder certifications) to fabricating ically noteworthy for their innovation. The first program of interest is new guarding for equipment that enhances process safety. the safety observation system (SOS). SOS is a behavior-based program Trident also utilizes a weekly housekeeping program. All employ- by which employees observe others performing tasks and note both ees, both salaried and hourly, are required to spend 90 minutes each opportunities for improvement as well as safe work practices. The Thursday cleaning assigned areas throughout the plant. This weekly observer provides feedback to the employee conducting the task, as program promotes personal accountability, increases efficiency, and well as submitting the observation for review to the safety manager reduces hazards in the work environment. and safety committee. Approximately 40 SOS exercises are conducted The hard work and diligence of the Trident Plant has paid off. In each month. addition to the 1,000 days without a Lost Time Accident, Trident has Another remarkable program is the annual employee safety received multiple safety awards. These awards include: Portland improvement projects. Annually, each employee must select a safety Cement Association’s Safety Excellence Award, Department of Labor’s improvement project, and each must take a minimum of two hours Sentinels of Safety Award, and the 2009 Montana Governor’s Safety and focus on improving plant safety. The projects are enthusiastically Award. ✦

Fickler Oil Company, Inc. TETRA TECH Dave Cerise Lubricants Sales Manager 1480 Continental Dr. Butte, MT 59701 Supporting the Phone: (406) 782 0616 Montana Mining Industry Fax: (406) 782 0260 since 1959 Cell: (406) 490 3891 [email protected]

Ernest K. Lehmann & Associates of Montana, Inc. Mineral exploration Deposit development Consulting to the mineral industry Environmental Engineering Consulting Contact Ernest Lehmann at: Billings Bozeman Helena Missoula JHRPLQH#DWWQHW 406.248.9161 406.582.8780 406.443.5210 406.543.3045

digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 47 Graymont committed to working with government and community members to provide resources in a sustainable and environmentally safe manner

GRAYMONT PHOTOS COURTESY OF DEBRA PITASSY.

s the third-largest producer of lime in North America, Graymont Aoperates facilities on sites that have been in operation for up to 200 years. A family-owned company in the lime business for over 50 years, subsidiary companies in the United States include operations in Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, Oregon, Utah and Nevada, as well as service markets in a much-wider geographic area. In Canada, Graymont subsidiaries have operations across the country, from New Brunswick to British Columbia. In addition to Graymont’s lime interests, Graymont Materials (located in upstate New York as well as the province of Quebec, Canada) provides construction stone, sand and gravel, asphalt products and ready-mix concrete. The focus of this company, whose management team and employ- Building & Operating ees are dedicated to meeting or exceeding customer needs, is the production of high calcium lime, dolomitic lime, value-added lime-based America’s products (such as specialty hydrates and precipitated calcium carbon- Underground Mines ates), and the aggregate and pulverized stone business. Central to the company’s corporate philosophy is a long-term approach to business built upon a solid commitment to sustainable growth. This growth is through the active participation of a responsible For more information environmental workplace and responsible operating practices. At the visit our website at same time, Graymont is proud of its past accomplishments, which demonstrate its commitment to responsible conduct of the business. www.undergroundmining.com That corporate philosophy is well-served in Montana at the Indian or call Creek plant, located just north of the Limestone Hills in Townsend. The Indian Creek plant is managed by Jason Ellis. Ellis came to Indian Creek 208-338-8880 ext. 2 in November of 2009 from Graymont’s corporate office in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he managed environmental health and safety for the

48 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 PHOTOGRAPHIC CREDIT: DEBRA PITASSY.

company’s Western U.S. operations. Prior to starting with Graymont, Ellis worked as an environmental health and safety professional in San Diego, California (Vertex Pharmaceuticals) and Ogden Utah (Weber State University). He is a graduate of Utah State University where he studied industrial hygiene, chemistry and the Russian language. The management team at Indian Creek also includes maintenance supervisor John Hinther. Hinther, a veteran employee of Graymont for 20 years, started with Graymont after working for Dick Irvin Trucking and owning and operating a portable rock crushing company. Transportation supervisor Carla Hilton and plant engineer Allen Holubec round off the team that drives production at Indian Creek, the largest taxpayer in Broadwater County. Production of lime at the plant engages two coal/coke-fired preheater kilns. The plant is equipped with lime-sizing and storage facilities, allowing Graymont to produce and store a full range of bulk quicklime products, as well as a hydrator capable of producing 300 tons of hydrated lime per day. This plant supplies customers in Montana, as well as clients in several other western states. Located on the south side of Indian Creek is the quarry. High purity limestone from the quarry is trucked to the crushing plant, where it is sized and conveyed to a large storage pile adjacent to the preheater kilns. Bulk truck loading facilities are provided at the plant site, and rail loading is available from a 1,500 ton terminal located on the Montana Rail Link line in Townsend. The company is among the leaders in the industry in adding new, efficient plants and equipment and operates some of the most modern facilities on the continent. Since 1989, Graymont has added new, state-of-the-art processing, increasing capacity by close to two million tons, and will continue to

Serving the Mining Industry for over 50 Years in the USA & Canada.

Graymont Western US, Inc. 4 1/2 Miles West of Townsend P.O. Box 550 Townsend, MT 59644 Phone: (406) 266-5221 Fax: (406) 266-3079 www.graymont.com

digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 49 add new capacity to meet market demand. Many important lime markets are serviced by Graymont: • Agriculture | Asphalt | Building Construction | Lime Application | Mortar | Plastering | Restoration | Whitewash | Environmental | Remediation | Flue Gas Desulphurization | Food | Glass | Mining | Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) | Pulp and Paper | Soda Ash | Soil Stabilization | Steel | Sugar | Water Treatment In addition to providing high-quality products for its customers, Graymont provides engineering and technical support to facilitate customer applications in the following areas: • Product Application: With technical and sales personnel skilled in solving customer problems, employees work with customers and recommend the proper products to meet their specific needs. This may include support on FGD projects, steel blends of high calcium and dolomitic products, the usage of lime in asphalt, or how to apply building products. • Transportation: Having extensive expertise in transportation of products by truck, rail, or water, the company’s emphasis is on building reliable, cost efficient supply networks. An example of this commitment is the operation of a fleet of PCC delivery barges to support customers in the paper industry in the Northwest. • Material Handling: To ensure efficient and economical operations, Graymont reviews and inspects customer material- handling facilities and design criteria. If requested, Graymont is prepared to own

Dale Person Sales Representative MONTANA The Seal Shack® CAD, Inc. MDM SEALS AND MECHANICAL SEAL SUPPLY PACKING REPAIR AND SERVICE CAD, Inc. A Montana Company MDM Supply Company 2609 Bozeman Avenue Helena, MT 59601 Res: (406) 227-5674 Phone: (406) 443-4012 6837-A Commercial Ave (406) 245-3757 Cell: 1-439-0169 Fax: (406) 442-4536 Billings, MT 59101 Cell: (406) 855-3369 [email protected] 1-800-697-0005 1-800-456-7325 Fax: (406) 245-2948

“Wholesale Distributors of Plumbing, Heating, Pipe, Valves and Fittings”

50 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 Maintenance supervisor John Hinther.

and operate such facilities at the customer’s site, including storage facilities. Graymont also provides portable slak- ers, silos, and unloading and material handling equipment for short-term projects. Several customers lease this equipment until their project has been completed. • Research and Development: Graymont can work with customers in R&D efforts for new product and process applications, and has equipment available to facilitate testing of new applications at a customer’s site. Graymont’s vision for the future involves supplying the ever-increasing need for quick lime to clean up and protect our environment; eighty percent of the company’s product is used for environmental purposes. Mining is essential in every aspect of our lives, and Graymont is committed to working with members of our government and community to help provide these resources in a sustainable and environmentally safe manner. ✦

digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 51 Revett’s commitment to environmental protection

By Carson Rife, VP Operations

tion. Unfounded claims that the 1872 mining Agency (EPA). All mining companies must law is an “antique in need of repair” are comply with these acts and regulations in merely misdirected attempts at putting an order to have a valid operating permit. end to mining. The fact is, there are many Air quality, water quality, wildlife protec- existing laws and acts that adequately cover tion, surface protection and social impacts environmental protection. Compliance with are all covered under various existing laws the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Montana and acts. The following is a brief description Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), National of various ways Revett Minerals follows Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the through on our commitments to environ- Endangered Species Act and the Hard Rock mental protection to not only comply with t goes without saying in this day and age Mining Impact Act is required, along with these laws and acts, but also to hopefully Ithat modern mining operations pay close oversight from the Montana Department of exceed the minimum requirements. attention to minimizing impact on the envi- Environmental Quality (DEQ), the U.S. Forest An example of Revett’s efforts to protect ronment. Times have changed and so has Service (USFS), the Bureau of Land air quality is shown in the photo above. mining. If you don’t care about the environ- Management, the U.S. Army Corps of During the months from mid-April to as late ment, you will not have a successful opera- Engineers, and the Environmental Protection as November, use of water sprays and plant- ing of barley are two methods used to control dust at the tailing facility. Other methods include placing a cover of topsoil and seeding areas, such as the tailing embankment slope, along with applying dust suppressant on roads. During the spring of last year, lack of snow coupled with an unusually high wind event resulted in unacceptable dust levels during early seeding operations. As a result, we modified the timing of seeding, added additional spray capacity using an irri-

52 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 Mining in Sanders County, Montana, circa 1908 Photo: Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture

Times have changed. So has mining.

Montana has made a lot of progress over the last 100 For example, all of the water at The Rock Creek Project years. Mining has progressed, too. – whether natural ground water, processing water, or rainwater that has fallen on the tailing facility collected In the old days, miners focused solely on recovering through an under drain system – will go through a dual valuable ore and metals. In fact, the state motto is “Gold water treatment process to ensure that it exceeds and Silver” and Montana is known as “The Treasure drinking water standards. State.” But this historical single-minded approach is no longer acceptable to society or modern mining companies. In addition, we will protect water quality by ensuring that the tailing created by processing the quartzite ore Today, the old ways are gone, replaced by modern – actually just beach sand – remains within the technology, science, and environmental protection. designated storage area to be covered and landscaped to mirror the surrounding habitat both concurrently and Modern mining projects are closely monitored by at the conclusion of the Rock Creek Project. regulators and comply with thousands of pages of federal, state, and local regulations to ensure that the environment To guarantee that this protection extends long after is protected. In addition, mining geologists and engineers projects are completed, modern mines fund multimillion utilize advances in science and technology that were dollar bonds set by Montana’s Department of unknown in the old days. Environmental Quality and the U.S. Forest Service.

Key among those improvements is our ability to protect A lot has changed over the years, but one thing hasn’t water quality. changed: mining provides good paying jobs.

Today’s mining projects are designed with multiple layers For example, The Rock Creek Project will provide 300 of environmental protections that must be approved jobs paying $50,000 a year, and over its life, Rock Creek before a single spade of dirt is turned. will contribute $400 million in salaries, $50 million in tax revenue, and $200 million in revenue for local businesses.

Mining helped build Montana in the past. With care and commitment, it can help build Montana’s future.

For more information, call 866-921-2294 gation wheel line, purchased an agricultural spray truck with a 70- improved containment. There are always ways to improve and it’s our foot-wide boom (for quick application of dust suppressant) and divid- goal to continue to do so. ed a portion of the tailing facility in half to allow better flexibility for Another prime indicator of the benign nature of the tailing facility sequencing filling operations. Other efforts to maintain good air qual- is the water quality of the toe ponds. These ponds were created early ity at the mine include the use of significantly lower emission diesel on between the toe of the embankment and Lake Creek to intercept engines (mostly Tier 3) coupled with the use of electric hydraulic any seepage and allow pump-back if required. These ponds have con- equipment where applicable. tinuously shown good quality water and are havens for wildlife and Maintaining the high quality of water in creeks and streams near support populations of bass and perch. Even though the Troy Mine has our Troy Mine is of the utmost importance to us. We’re pleased that a long-time track record of good water quality without a water treat- water quality is as good today as it was prior to startup of the mine in ment plant, a two-stage water treatment plant is included to treat 1981, some 29 years ago. We’re very fortunate that at both our Troy excess water prior to discharge. This added measure of protection at Mine and Rock Creek Project, the strata-bound copper and silver the Rock Creek Project ensures there will be no adverse impacts to deposits are hosted in clean quartzite beds formed from ancient water quality. beach sands. Thus, after the ore processing is complete, the resulting Maintaining healthy wildlife populations near our Troy Mine and tailing is benign beach sand with no other deleterious elements that Rock Creek Project is very important to us. Not only are our employ- could cause acid rock drainage or other water quality issues. ees people who enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting and Changes in aquatic life in streams are one of the first indicators of hiking, it is simply the right thing to do and it’s in their back yard. Both any minute changes in water quality. Lake Creek has been sampled Troy and Rock Creek are within the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem (CYE), three times a year throughout the past 20-plus years and has shown which is home to at least two species listed as threatened or endan- no impact. An unfortunate leak in one of the tailing lines last October gered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS): the grizzly bear resulted in spillage into a tributary of Stanley Creek; quick actions and the bull trout. In addition, a significant portion of the Rock Creek were taken by Troy employees for containment and clean up, and no deposit lies beneath the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness Area, which impact on aquatic life or fish was detected. We are now completing heightens environmental awareness even more. engineering work for secondary containment of tailing lines in sensi- With respect to grizzly bears, the two main ways to enhance recov- tive areas near active waterways. Often an unfortunate incident will ery is through reducing mortality and improving habitat. We are cur- result in something positive; in this example, the positive result will be rently doing annual bear awareness training and eliminating exposed www.metsominerals.com

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54 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 garbage at the Troy Mine. Several grizzlies have been released near the ing depth of approximately 1,000 feet below the surface. Also, a Troy Mine to supplement populations in the CYE. Radio collar moni- 1,000-foot lateral buffer zone (radius around the lake) will be left toring has shown these bears have traveled over top and around the unmined below Cliff Lake to prevent any possible impact to the lake. mine area, apparently showing little concern for the mine activities. At Other unmined areas will be left near known fault zones to prevent Rock Creek, an extensive grizzly bear mitigation plan (approximately any impacts to the surface. $30 million over 25 years) has been included as part of the operating These are just some of the main activities we conduct or plan to plan. Funding will be provided for two to three employees to work conduct in the case of Rock Creek to minimize environmental impact. with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWF) covering biological and Revett is an important provider of good, quality jobs and taxes for the law enforcement activities throughout the 20-plus-year mine life. benefit of the people of Lincoln and Sanders County, and to Montana Funding will also be used to monitor bears with the USFWS, purchase as a whole. Additionally, let’s not forget about the much-needed pro- bear-resistant garbage containers and fence off county garbage sites. duction of strategic metals such as copper and silver. We look forward In addition, although the mine will only disturb 482 acres in total, of to continuing these efforts and improving our commitment to environmental protection in the coming years. which only 140 acres are on National Forest lands, a total 2,450 acres of other private land in key grizzly bear habitat areas will be pur- The Troy Mine is operated by Genesis, Inc., a subsidiary of Revett Silver chased and set aside from development, either through perpetual Co. The underground copper-silver mine is located 15 miles southwest conservation easement or deeding over to the USFS. of Troy in Lincoln County and employs about 180 workers. The compa- In regard to other endangered species of the area, bull trout pro- ny has fully-funded all reclamation obligations, and Montana DEQ tection is achieved by maintaining or improving existing water quali- holds a reclamation bond in the amount of $12.9 million. ty. At Rock Creek, installation of sediment control measures, such as sediment traps at culverts combined with rolling dips in the road to Revett Minerals Inc. has completed the permitting of the Rock Creek reduce erosion, are expected to reduce sediment load to the stream Mine, located nearby in Sanders County, and is in the final stages of and thus improve bull trout habitat. litigating opposition brought by a number of environmental groups. The operating plan for the Rock Creek Project includes areas of Revett has provided interim funding for the hiring of MFWP employees the deposit that will remain un-mined (buffer zones) in order to as a key part of the Rock Creek grizzly bear mitigation plan. Like Troy, ensure no damage will occur to the surface. A minimum overburden Rock Creek will be an underground copper-silver mine and will employ height of 450 feet has been set, resulting in an average overall min- about 250 to 300 workers. ✦

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digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 55

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56 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 digital copy available online at www.montanamining.org 57 The Montana Mining Association would like to thank the following members for their continued support: ASSOCIATE MEMBERS AFFCO Ezzie's Wholesale, Inc Metallurgical Engineering Sandvik, Inc. AMEC Geomatrix Inc. F & H Mine Supply Inc. Mining Technologies International, Inc Southern Cross Company, LLC. Applied Industrial Technologies Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Modern Machinery Spencer Fluid Power Arcadis Fickler Oil Moen Builders Spherion Inc Baroid Industrial Drilling Products GCR Tire Centers Montana Bolt Company Spring Valley Drilling Inc. Bison Engineering General Distributing Sun Mountain Lumber Montana Crane Service Boart Longyear Company Glacier HR Services, Inc. Taylor Mine Services Montana Electric Motors, Inc Brenntag Pacific Godwin Pumps Techline Services Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry, & Hoven Golder Associates Moore Oil Inc TEREX Mining Butte War Bonnet Hotel Gough, Shanahan, Johnson and Waterman Norco Inc. The Archibald Co. CDM Guy Nielson Co. Northside Welding & Fabrication The Industrial Co. Wyoming, Inc. Champion Charter Sales H&E Equipment Services Northwest Mine Supply Thiessen Team U.S.A. Chemical Montana Company Holland and Hart Northwest Parts and Rigging Co Inc Timberline Resources Corp. Chevron Industrial Automation Consulting Town Pump Inc. Childs Geoscience, Inc. Industrial Sales and Service Northwest Pipe and Fittings Inc Christensen, Moore, Cockrell, Cummings & Intermountain West Energy O'Keefe Drilling Tractor and Equipment Axelberg, P.C. Interstate Power Systems Pacific Steel & Recycling Tri State Truck & Equipment Turkenburg Power Systems, Inc, Continental Supply, Inc. Jorgenson's Payne Machinery U.S Bearings & Drives Cross Petroleum Service K&N Electric Inc. Poore, Roth and Robinson, P.C. Crowley Fleck PLLP Kirk ENR, Inc WESCO Power Service of Montana Crown Parts and Machine Lacy & Ebeling Engineering, Inc Westate Machinery R. Dorvall & Associates, Inc Cummins Rocky Mountain LeTourneau Technologies Western States Equipment Company Dick Irvin, Inc Liberty Companies Rain for Rent Whitewood Transport Energy Laboratories McCloskey's Auto Electric, Inc. Red Lion Colonial Wholesale Mine Supply L.P. Environomics MDM Supply Resource Management Zeigler Sales, Inc

CHAPTERS AND CHAPTER MEMBERS Montana Mining Association Montana Mining Association Zelda Davis Missoula Chapter Victor Chapter Howard Lindsey HONORARY MEMBERS Courtney Young Tom Harrington

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Alan Grant Douglas Parker Larry Johnson Rick Strand Bob Moodry Ed Diekman Leora Bach Robert Routa Brad Isbell Fess Foster Mark Radcliffe Rod McElwain Brian Roat James Collins Mary Berg Ronald Bell Michael Hendrickson Carol Brown Jerry Hanley Scott Rosenthal Mike Mullaney Cherie Tilley Joe Bardswich Steve Fitzpatrick Mitzi Nelson Danney Glaser John Fitzpatrick Neal Hurni Tim Lindsey David Armstrong John Witt P. D av i s Tom Harrington David Stevens Kenneth Hitron Ray Connors Tom Weitz Dolores Rife Kevin Johnson Richard Berg William Brooks PRODUCERS, NON-PRODUCERS, SMALL & INACTIVE MINERS

Apex Abrasives, Inc. CR Kendall Corporation Holcim NLC. Inc. Barretts Minerals Ernest K. Lehmann & Associates of Kennecott Exploration Co NorthWestern Energy Bigler Mine Montana Madison Mining Company Revett Minerals, Genesis Inc. Blue Range Engineering Co. Inc. Gentor Resources Inc. Mines Management Inc Rio Tinto Caboose Mining Co. Golden Sunlight Mine Montana Resources Stillwater Mining Company Carter Creek Iron Inc. Granite Resources Company Montana Tunnels TMC, Inc. Contact Mining Graymont Newmont Mining WCP Resources Ltd

58 Montana Mining Association — Montana Mining 2010 Big mine small footprint

Montana is famous for big dinosaurs, big geysers and a big sky overhead. Did you know that it’s also home to the United State’s biggest talc mine? While Rio Tinto Minerals’ Yellowstone mine is a big deposit, the talc we find here ends up making environmental footprints smaller. Cars run cleaner, paint lasts longer, and paper mills use less energy thanks to our talc. Our people also work hard to make our operations’ footprint smaller – putting big ideas to work to reduce energy use, water use and greenhouse gas emissions. To find out more about our big mine and small footprint, visit www.riotintominerals.com. Mines Management, Inc.

Advancing the Unearthing Life’s Key Ingredients MONTANORE Silver-Copper Project

Lincoln County, Montana Toronto Stock Exchange: MGT NYSE Alternext US: MGN Innovative and Responsible Natural Resource Development

Northwestern Montana boasts host to some of the world’s largest deposits of copper and silver. Mines Management, Inc., are committed to advancing the development of such projects in a manner consistent to further the interests of the local community and the long term preservation of the environment.