Montana Department of Environmental Quality About Us Permitting & Operator Assistance Public Participation

Hard Rock Mining

Program Overview

The Mining Bureau oversees implementation and enforcement of the Montana Metal Mine Reclamation Act. The Act recognizes mining and the production of minerals as activities that are beneficial to the economy of Montana, when conducted in a way that protects the environment from degradation and ensures for proper reclamation of mined land. The Bureau reviews permit and license applications for mining operations ranging from decorative landscaping rock to copper ore to sapphires. 


Types of Permits & Licenses

The Mining Bureau has separate programs for hard rock exploration and hard rock mining. Hard rock exploration requires a license to perform drilling and trenching and other activities to determine if an economical mineral resource is present. Hard rock mining can occur under a Small Miner Exclusion Statement (SMES) or under an Operating Permit. Small Miner Exclusion mining has the limitation of not more than five acres of disturbance at any one time. Mining that cannot be limited to five acres of disturbance, can only be done under an Operating Permit. In some circumstances, multiple sites may be permitted under a single Operating Permit.

If you believe you need a permit, applicable forms and instructions can be found by clicking the "Permitting and Operator Assistance" button. Contact us if you have questions or run into problems with any of the information. We're here to help!

Operating Permits

Operating permits are required for hard rock mines that will disturb more than five acres at any one time. The Hard Rock Mining Section of the Mining Bureau is responsible for the review of permit applications for operating permits and for the corresponding inspections of those mines. The Hard Rock Mining Section is also responsible for implementing other portions of the program, such as the review/development of environmental reviews, the review of annual reports, the review of permit revision requests, and the review of amendment applications.

Please be advised that these documents and notices are being posted to the website as a courtesy. The format or content of documents and notices posted may be modified as necessary for website software requirements and protocols. Reliance should not be placed on courtesy notifications in lieu of the statutory notification requirements set forth in the Montana Metal Mine Reclamation Act. Please note that the pending amendments and pending operating permit applications listed below are those that are currently under review by the Mining Bureau.

Exploration Licenses

An Exploration License is required for all mineral exploration activities that may involve surface or subsurface disturbance. The Exploration License is not a mining permit, and cannot be used for mining. Likewise, the Operating Permit (OP) and Small Miner Exclusion Statement (SMES) are intended for “mining” and cannot be used for “exploration.”

Small Miner Exclusions

Small Miner Exclusion Statements are an exclusion from the requirements of an Operating Permit and are generally applicable to operations that disturb less than five acres of land. Bonding and site reclamation is not required, except for placer mining operations. An environmental review of potential impacts is also not required.

Hard Rock Mining Contacts

Hard Rock Operating Permit Contact
Section Supervisor
Millie Olsen (406) 444-2461

Program Support Specialist
Jean Correia (406) 444-0988

SMES/Exploration Contact
Program Support Specialist
Shannon Johnson (406) 444-3920

Updates

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Pending Amendments

Stillwater Mining Company (SMC) filed an application with the Department of Environmental Quality for an amendment (Amendment 014) to Hard Rock Mine Operating Permit No. 00118 under the Metal Mine Reclamation Act. SMC currently operates an underground platinum group metals mine at the Stillwater Mine (SWM). The SWM is located at (Latitude N45°23'20.7", Longitude W109°52'33.2"), on County Road 419/Nye Road, approximately 5 miles southwest of Nye in Stillwater County. The facilities at the SWM include a concentrator, the East Side Waste Rock Storage Facility (ESWRSF), the Nye Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) which is currently being capped, and other ancillary facilities that support the operation. Water management facilities and a second TSF, the Hertzler Stage 3 TSF, are located approximately 7 miles northeast of the mine site at the Hertzler Ranch (Latitude N45°27’30.50”, Longitude W109°47’17.99”) on County Road 420/Stillwater River Road.

Amendment 014 would expand the waste rock and tailings storage capacity of the SWM. The ESWRSF is proposed to be expanded to the north and east of the current footprint and increase the permitted height from an elevation of 5,150 feet to 5,350 ft. There would be 48.2 acres of new disturbance associated with the ESWRSF expansion. SMC proposes to increase the permit area at the SWM site by 4.1 acres, from 2424 acres to 2428.1 acres, and increase the permitted disturbance area by 28.0 acres, from 440.8 acres to 468.8 acres. The expansion would be developed in five stages to provide an additional 16.6 million cubic yards of storage and extend the life of the facility to approximately 2065.

SMC proposes to expand tailings storage for the SWM directly west of the existing Hertzler Stage 3 TSF by the sequential construction of two additional storage cells which have been designated as the Stage 4 TSF and Stage 5 TSF. The Stage 4 TSF would provide an additional 11.8 million cubic yards of storage capacity until approximately 2045 and the Stage 5 TSF would provide an additional 12.8 million cubic yards of storage capacity until approximately 2061. A new, lined 200-million-gallon land application disposal treated water storage pond would be constructed west of the existing Stage 3 TSF to facilitate development of the future Stage 4 and Stage 5 TSF. The total disturbance for the expansion at Hertzler Ranch would be 454.5 acres, which includes 94.3 acres of disturbance outside the current permitted for disturbance boundary and 360.2 acres of disturbance within the current permitted for disturbance boundary.

Pending Applications

DEQ received an application for an exploration license from Luke Ployhar on October 4, 2021, to excavate a trench measuring 35 feet long by 10 feet wide by 25 feet deep in order to extract a 125-ton bulk sample for metallurgical testing. The entire proposed project would be located on private land within the former Zortman Mine boundary and disturb about 0.18 acre.

Draft Environmental Assessment

Final Environmental Assessment

Mike Wirth Construction, LLC (MWC) filed an application with the Department of Environmental Quality for an operating permit (pending Operating Permit No. 00211) under the Metal Mine Reclamation Act. MWC would quarry construction aggregate and riprap at the Wirth Quarry. The Wirth Quarry is located at Township 14 North, Range 4 West, Section 2, 1 mile south of Wolf Creek in Lewis and Clark County.

Recent Actions & Approvals

Operating Permit
Company & Project Name Date Published
Yellowstone Mine
Magris Talc USA, Inc.
Operating Permit #00005
Minor Amendment 008
Final Environmental Assessment
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Draft Environmental Impact Statement



September 10, 2021

July 31, 2006
December 22, 2004
Warren Quarry
Big Horn Limestone Company
Operating Permit #00008
Amendment for Quarry Expansion
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment




February 14, 2007
Barretts Mill
Barretts Minerals Inc.
Operating Permits #00009
Amendment 005
Draft Environmental Assessment
Final Environmental Assessment




April 4, 2007
January 30, 2007
Regal Mine
Barretts Minerals Inc.
Operating Permit #00013
Amendment 006
Record of Decision
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment




April 20, 2020
March 2020
December 2019

April 4, 2007
January 30, 2007
Little Bear Construction, Inc.
Drummond Quarry
Operating Permit #00022
Amendment 001
Decision Letter
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment




May 20, 2021
May 20, 2021
April 13, 2021

Montana Resources, LLC
Continental Mine
Operating Permit #00030
Amendment 011
Decision Notice
Final Environmental Assessment

Amendment 010
Record of Decision 
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Draft Environmental Impact Statement




July 14, 2022
July 14, 2022
August 30, 2019
August 13, 2019
March 2019
Meadow Holdings, LLC
Yellow Dog Mine
Operating Permit #00044
Amendment 001
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment




May 27, 2022
April 13, 2022
Schellinger Construction Co.
Essex Quarry
Operating Permit #00045
Amendment 001
Decision Document
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment




December 14, 2020
December 14, 2020
November 9, 2020
Golden Sunlight Mines, Inc.
Golden Sunlight Mine
Operating Permit #00065
Amendment 017
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Final Environmental Impact Statement 
Record of DecisionAmendment 011
Record of Decision
Cover Letter
Final Supplemental EIS
Draft Supplemental EIS
Amendment 012
Environmental Assessment
Amendment 013
Cover Letter
Draft Environmental Assessment
Amendment 014
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment
Amendment 015
Record of Decision
Final EIS
Draft EIS
Amendment 016
Draft Environmental Assessment
Final Environmental Assessment




August 17, 2007
July 2007
July 2007
December 2004

January 8, 2010

June 4, 2010
N/A

November 22, 2010
November 4, 2010

January 9, 2014
December 2013
September 2013

August 2018
October 2018

Troy Mine Inc.
Troy Mine
Operating Permit #00093
Amendment 006
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment
Cover Letter
Record of Decision

Record of Decision Cover Letter
Record of Decision for a Revised Reclamation Plan
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Appendices
Draft Environmental Impact Statement Cover Letter
Executive Summary
Draft EIS Text Part 1
Draft EIS Text Part 2
Appendices





September 2017

January 2018
January 8, 2018
January 8, 2018

September 20, 2012
September 2012
June 2012
N/A

June 23, 2011
May 4, 2011
May 2011
Indian Creek Mine and Plant
Graymont Western US Inc.
Operating Permit #00105
Record of Decision
Final EIS
Draft EIS



October 2010
June 2010
December 2008

Montana Tunnels
Montana Tunnels Mining, Inc.
Operating Permit #00113
Amendment 009
Decision Letter
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment

Amendment 008 (M-Pit Expansion)
Cover Letter
Record of Decision
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Draft Environmental Impact Statement


July 24, 2020
July 24, 2020
July 24, 2020
March 5, 2020


October 27, 2008

August 2008
February 2008

Nye
Stillwater Mining Company
Operating Permit #00118

Amendment 012
Expanded Checklist Environmental Assessment
Record of Decision: Revised Water Management Plan and Boe Ranch LAD
Final Environmental Impact Statement

Draft Environmental Impact Statement



July 22, 2010
August 1, 2012
May 2012
N/A

November 2010
N/A
N/A
Kendall Mine
CR Kendall Corporation
Operating Permit #00122
Cover Letter
Final EIS
Cover Letter
Draft EIS



April 15, 2016
April 15, 2016
October 8, 2015
September 11, 2015

Stillwater Mining Company
East Boulder Mine
Operating Permit #00149
Amendment 004
Record of Decision
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment

Amendment 003
Decision Document
Cover Letter
Final Environmental Assessment (with Errata)
Draft Environmental Assessment





September 3, 2024
August 9, 2024
June 23, 2023

September 22, 2020
September 11, 2020
May 15, 2020

Pipestone Quarry
Pipestone Quarry, LLC
Operating Permit #00148
Draft Checklist Environmental Assessment
Final Environmental Assessment
Decision Notice




March 9, 2015
April 29, 2024
April 29, 2024
Montanore Mine
Montanore Minerals Corp.
Operating Permit #00150
Record of Decision
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
Draft Environmental Impact Statement



February 2016
December 2015
September 19, 2011
February 25, 2009
Garnet USA
Garnet USA, LLC.
Operating Permit #00157
Record of Decision
Final EIS
Cover Letter Draft EIS
Draft EIS



March 2014
N/A
February 20, 2014
September 2013
Ruby Valley
Garnet USA, LLC
Operating Permit #00157
Amendment and Partial Bond Release
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment




November 21, 2011
May 7, 2015

ES Stone & Structure, Inc.
Multiple Quarry Permits
Operating Permit #00163
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment
Amendment 001
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment
Amendment 003
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Checklist Environmental Assessment
Amendment 005
Draft Environmental Assessment
Amendment 006
Final Environmental Assessment
Amendment 008
Decision Document
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment




September 29, 2005
July 12, 2005

June 29, 2006
April 10, 2006

November 23, 2010
October 6, 2010

November 3, 2014

July 6, 2016

July 23, 2021
July 23, 2021
June 8, 2021
Big Sky Masonry Stone, Inc.
Multiple Quarry Permit
Operating Permit #00164
Draft Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment



August 25, 2008
September 28, 2005
Moonlight Basin
Moonlight Basin Ranch, Inc.
Operating Permit #00165
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment



June 19, 2006
September 29, 2005
Bozeman Construction Company dba Bozeman Brick, Block & Tile
Multiple Quarry Permit
Pending Operating Permit #00166
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment



August 7, 2006
June 23, 2006
Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P.
Multiple Quarry Permit
Operating Permit #00167
Record of Decision
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Draft Checklist Environmental Assessment
Final EA Poker Hill and Lower Twin Rock Sites



December 1, 2006
October 24, 2006
April 24, 2006


June 29, 2010
Apex Abrasives
Apex Abrasives Inc.
Operating Permit #00168
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment



November 15, 2006
September 7, 2006
Bullock Construction
Operating Permit - #00169
Draft Environmental Assessment
Map


November 16, 2006
Black Hat Quarry
Lyle "Bud" Colby
Operating Permit #00170
Draft Environmental Assessment
Colby Site Map
Voise Site Map



December 18, 2006
N/A
N/A
Tom Gauger Site
Tom Gauger
Operating Permit #00171
Draft EA for Application of Operating Permit
Final CEA Letter



December 21, 2010
February 2, 2011
Golden Dream Project
Elkhorn Goldfields, Inc.
Operating Permit #00173
Final Environmental Assessment
EA Cover Letter
Draft Environmental Assessment


July 21, 2008
N/A
April 30, 2008
April 2008
North Pit
Valley Sand & Gravel, LLC
Operating Permit #00174
Final Environmental Assessment
Map
Cover Letter
Draft Environmental Assessment



January 12, 2009
January 12, 2009
November 13, 2008
November 13, 2008
Montana Rockworks, Inc.
Multiple Quarry Permits
Operating Permit #00175
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment



December 28, 2007
April 12, 2007
Jesson Rock-N-Ranch
Jesson Ranch Management, LLC
Operating Permit #00176
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Checklist Environmental Assessment
Amendment 001
Draft Checklist Environmental Assessment(CEA)
Final Environmental Assessment



July 11, 2008
April 4, 2008
September 20, 2010
October 20, 2010
Butte Highlands
Butte Highlands JV, LLC
Pending Operating Permit #00178
Draft EIS



October 2013
Shonkinite Quarry
Shumaker Trucking and Excavating Contractors, Inc.
Operating Permit #00179
Green Coulee
Checklist Environmental Assessment
Fort Shaw Sites
Checklist Environmental Assessment
Chinnook
Checklist Environmental Assessment




 
Voise Quarry
Operating Permit #00180
Draft Environmental Assessment


April 23, 2019
Nickelback Quarry
Noble Excavating, Inc.
Operating Permit #00182
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment



April 16, 2012
March 7, 2012
Golden Rule
Golden Rule Placer Mining, LLC
Operating Permit #00183
Final Checklist Environmental Assessment
Draft Checklist Environmental Assessment



July 2, 2013
May 22, 2013
Geyser Mine
CRH US
Operating Permit #00184
Amendment 002
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment



February 2021
March 23, 2021
May 2013
April 2013

Block Mountain Slate and Stone, Inc.
Multiple Quarry Permit
Pending Operating Permit #00185
Draft EA



May 12, 2016
Montana Limestone Resources, LLC
Montana Limestone Resources Mine
Draft Environmental Assessment
Final Environmental Assessment
Appendix A
Decision Letter


November 18, 2019
March 6, 2020

April 15, 2020
Tintina Montana, Inc.
Black Butte Copper Mine
Operating Permit #00188
Record of Decision
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Draft Environmental Impact Statement



April 2020
February 2020
March 11, 2019
Venture Stone
Venture Stone, LLC
Operating Permit #00189
Amendment 001
Decision Letter
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment

Draft Environmental Assessment




October 26, 2020
October 26, 2020
August 28, 2020

January 6, 2017
Glacier Stone Supply LLC
Canyon Creek / Glacier Mountain Sites
Operating Permit #00190
Draft Environmental Assessment
Final Environmental Assessment



March 10, 2020
April 17, 2020
Overman Western Stone
Ibex Quarry
Operating Permit #00195
Final Environmental Assessment
Environmental Assessment



September 19, 2019
August 6, 2019
Rock Creek Project
RC Resources, Inc.
Operating Permit #00197
Final Environmental Assessment
EA Cover Letter
Draft Environmental Assessment EA for a Revised Evaluation Adit Plan
Appendix A List of Stipulations
EA Figures, Exhibit, and Table



December 22, 2008
August 13, 2008
July 21, 2008
 
Huppert Brothers Construction, Inc.
Huppert Brothers Construction, Inc. 
Operating Permit #00198
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment



April 8, 2020
February 26, 2020
Bullock Contracting, LLC
Devil's Elbow Quarry
Operating Permit #00199
Draft Environmental Assessment
Final Environmental Assessment
Decision Document



February 26, 2020
September 21, 2020
Potentate Mining, LLC
Sapphire Ranch Mine
Operating Permit #00200
Draft Environmental Assessment
Final Environmental Assessment 
C3, Limited Liability Company
Anaconda Bench Mine
Operating Permit #00202
Decision Document
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment


August 8, 2022
August 8, 2022
June 15, 2022
GCC Trident, LLC
Lingshire Quarry
Operating Permit #00206
Draft Environmental Assessment
Final Environmental Assessment



December 7, 2022
January 12, 2023
Drumlummon Mine
RX Exploration, Inc.
Exploration License #00674
Final Checklist Environmental Assessment
Response to Public Comments
Press Release -Extended Comment Period
Draft Environmental Assessment - App. for Partially Dewatering



March 12, 2009
March 12, 2009
January 23, 2009
January 9, 2009
Timberline Resources Corp.
Exploration License #00680
Final Checklist Environmental Assessment


August 18, 2009
Ash Grove Cement Company
Clark Gulch Shale-Clay Exploration Project
Exploration License #00684
Amendment 3
Decision Letter
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment
Final Environmental Assessment





April 23, 2021
April 23, 2021
December 9, 2019
February 10, 2020
Black Butte Copper
Tintina Montana Inc.
Exploration License #00710
Amendment to Exploration License
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment
Aquifer Pump Test 2014
Cover Letter
Aquifer Pump Test Environmental Assessment




January 14, 2014
July 15, 2013
N/A

August 7, 2014
June 30, 2014
Lucky Minerals Inc.
Emigrant Exploration
Exploration License #00795
Decision Letter
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment



July, 26, 2017
Blue Arc LLC
Exploration License #00846
Decision Letter
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment


February 1, 2021

February 1, 2021
October 28, 2020
Butte Blackjack Operating, LLC
Exploration License #00857
Amendment 1
Decision Document 
Final Environmental Assessment
Draft Environmental Assessment 



October 5, 2021
October 4, 2021
July 19, 2021
General Quarry Permit
Final Supplemental EA
Draft Supplemental EA

March 30, 2004
February 1, 2004