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.
Hard Rock Mining Operating Permit active site locations and permit boundaries may be viewed using DEQ's GIS Portal, or at the link to the public map below. If you experience issues viewing the map, it may help to try a different browser.
View Operating Permit Locations
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
Program Support Specialist
Karyssa Gilleland (406) 444-0988
Hard Rock Mining Section Supervisor
Millie Olsen (406) 444-2461
SMES/Exploration Contact
Program Support Specialist
Jacob Churchill (406) 444-3920
Field Services & Technology Section Supervisor
Don Danesi (406) 444-0055
Pending Amendments
Falcon Copper Corporation – Blue Copper – Amendment 3 – Exploration License No. 00878
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has received an application for a proposed exploration project near Avon, MT, in Powell and Lewis and Clark Counties pursuant to the Montana Metal Mine Reclamation Act (MMRA). The exploration project was proposed by Falcon Copper Corporation (Applicant).
Exploration is a distinct activity from mining and is intended to collect data and characterize commercial potential of an ore body for possible mining. The Applicant submitted an Exploration License Amendment with their Blue Copper Plan of Operations and supplemental documents, received by DEQ on November 17, 2025.
The exploration operations proposed in Amendment 3 would take place northeast of Avon, Montana, in Powell and Lewis and Clark Counties, with up to 56.6 acres of total new surface disturbance.
The Applicant has proposed to drill up to 6 holes per drill pad, with a total of 127 drill pads, and up to 762 total drill holes. The maximum drill depth per hole would not exceed 7,000 feet, with a cumulative total depth of all drill holes up to 1,250,000 linear feet.
The Applicant has proposed to construct 127 total drill pads, divided into 4 categories based on their dimensions: 55 large drill pads, 51 large-narrow drill pads, 12 small drill pads, and 9 small-narrow drill pads. Each drill pad would include an internal sump. Additionally, the Applicant has proposed excavation of up to 21 exploration trenches.
The Applicant has proposed construction of approximately 14,243 feet of new access roads; improvement of approximately 61,387 feet of existing roads; and reconditioning of approximately 38,546 feet of existing roads. Approximately 58 pullouts would be constructed amongst the roads. All road designs were stated to include cuts, fills, and safety berms to meet design, safety, and drainage standards.
The Applicant has proposed the installation of up to 3 dedicated groundwater monitoring wells. The Applicant proposed to maintain these wells for data acquisition throughout the proposed exploration operations and be reclaimed at the conclusion of exploration operations. Additionally, the Applicant proposed installation of up to 12 vibrating wire piezometers (VWPs) in the project area. The VWPs would be maintained throughout the proposed exploration operations and be reclaimed at the conclusion of exploration operations.
Accommodation statement
The department will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this public participation process or need an alternative accessible format of this notice. If you require accommodation, contact the department to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact the Department of Environmental Quality at 2401 Colonial Drive, Helena, Montana 59601; phone (406) 444-3920 or e-mail Jacob.Churchill@mt.gov.
Falcon Copper Corporation – Blue Copper – Amendment 4 – Exploration License No. 00878
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has received an application for a proposed exploration project near Avon, in Powell County pursuant to the Montana Metal Mine Reclamation Act (MMRA). The exploration project was proposed by Falcon Copper Corporation (Falcon Copper).
Exploration is a distinct activity from mining and is intended to collect data and characterize commercial potential of an ore body for possible mining. Falcon Copper submitted an Exploration License Amendment with their Blue Copper Plan of Operations and supplemental documents, received by DEQ on January 9, 2026. This application is currently being reviewed for deficiencies.
The exploration activities proposed in Amendment 4 would take place near Avon, MT, with up to 11.65 acres of new surface disturbance. Falcon Copper proposed to drill up to 222 drill holes to a maximum depth of 7,000 feet per hole, resulting in a cumulative drilled footage of up to 1,554,000 feet. Drilling would occur from 37 drill pads. Each drill pad would contain 1 internal sump resulting in 37 drill sumps.
Falcon Copper proposed to support exploration activities with 3 equipment laydown areas; 3,907 feet of new access roads; 12,144 feet of restored existing roads; and 2,006 feet of roads requiring removal of downed timber and repairs to the roadbed and drainage features. Falcon Copper proposed installation of 1 temporary bridge across Ophir Creek. The action does not propose the use of cyanide or any ore-processing facilities.
Draft Environmental Assessment
Accommodation statement
The department will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this public participation process or need an alternative accessible format of this notice. If you require accommodation, contact the department to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact the Department of Environmental Quality at 2401 Colonial Drive, Helena, Montana 59601; phone (406) 444-3920 or e-mail Jacob.Churchill@mt.gov.
Sibayne-Stillwater Mine – Amendment 014 – Operating Permit No. 00118
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.
Montana Resources, LLC – Amendment 012 – Operating Permit No. 00030
Montana Resources, LLC (MR) filed an application with the Department of Environmental Quality for an amendment (Amendment 012) to Hard Rock Mining Operating Permit No. 00030 under the Metal Mine Reclamation Act. MR currently operates the open pit mining and milling facilities at the Continental Mine Complex, located directly to the east and northeast of the communities of Butte and Walkerville in Butte-Silver Bow County. The proposed permit boundary would enclose an area of 6,549 acres in Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, and 22 of T3N, R7W; Sections 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 of T4N, R7W; Sections 1 and 13 of T3N, R8W; and Section 36 of T4N, R8W.
Amendment 012 would authorize construction to raise the crest elevation of the Yankee Doodle Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) from the current elevation of 6,450 feet to 6,560 feet, to increase disposal capacity within the facility. This would include the placement of additional non-ore rock to buttress and raise the current TSF embankments, covering some of the existing infrastructure and features. The amendment would also authorize continued mining in the Continental Pit and Central Zone areas, to align the known mineral reserves with the proposed tailings disposal capacity, extending the anticipated mine life by 25 years (from 2031 to 2056). The amendment would expand the permit area from 6,132 acres to 6,549 acres (change of 417 acres) and expand the interior disturbance by approximately 361 acres, primarily to the north and southwest portions of the TSF.
Pending Applications
US CRITICAL MATERIALS CORP – SHEEP CREEK PROJECT – AMENDMENT 1 – EXPLORATION LICENSE NO. 00915
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has received an application for a proposed exploration project in Ravalli County pursuant to the Montana Metal Mine Reclamation Act (MMRA). The exploration project was proposed by US Critical Materials Corp.
Exploration is a distinct activity from mining and is intended to collect data and characterize commercial potential of an ore body for possible mining. US Critical Materials Corp. submitted an Exploration License Application on October 7, 2026.
In the application, US Critical Materials Corp proposes three drill pads with up to 16 holes per drill pad. A total of 45 holes would be drilled to collect rock core samples. The cumulative drill hole footage would be a maximum of 18,000 feet, with a maximum depth of any one hole of 1,000 feet, and an average depth of approximately 400 feet per hole.
El Dorado Sapphire and Gold Mine, LLC. – El Dorado Bar – Amendment 1 – Exploration License No. 00901
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has received an application for a proposed exploration project near Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County pursuant to the Montana Metal Mine Reclamation Act (MMRA). The exploration project was proposed by El Dorado Sapphire and Gold Mine, LLC. (Applicant).
Exploration is a distinct activity from mining and is intended to collect data and characterize commercial potential of an ore body for possible mining. The Applicant submitted an Exploration License application with the final supplemental documents received by DEQ on August 11, 2026.
The proposed exploration activities would take place approximately 28 miles northeast of Helena, MT, with up to 4.43 acres of surface disturbance. The Applicant proposed up to 52 drill holes, with a cumulative drilled footage of up to 4,160 feet and a maximum depth of 80 feet per hole.
Each proposed hole would be sonically drilled (using high frequency vibrational energy) from a non-constructed drill pad area measuring approximately 25 feet by 15 feet. The Applicant proposed up to 17,360 feet of overland travel, up to 10 feet wide, to access the drill sites. An existing private access road would be used to reach the site. No new roads are proposed.
The Applicant proposes to obtain water for drilling from an existing surface-water take point on the Missouri River/Hauser Lake under the landowner’s existing water rights. Up to 150 gallons of water per day would be used to support sonic drilling and sample recovery. The action does not propose the use of cyanide or any ore-processing facilities.
Mogotes Copper USA, Inc. – Copper Cliff – Amendment 1 – Exploration License No. 00910
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has received an application for a proposed exploration project near Potomac, in Missoula County pursuant to the Montana Metal Mine Reclamation Act (MMRA). The exploration project was proposed by Mogotes Copper USA, Inc. (Mogotes).
Exploration is a distinct activity from mining and is intended to collect data and characterize commercial potential of an ore body for possible mining. Mogotes submitted an Exploration License application with the final supplemental documents received by DEQ on June 12, 2026.
The proposed exploration activities would take place near Potomac, with up to 1.07 acres of new surface disturbance. Mogotes proposed up to 4 drill holes, with a cumulative drilled footage of up to 59,800 feet and a maximum depth of 6,500 feet per hole. Drilling would occur from up to 4 drill pads, each approximately 100 feet long by 100 feet wide and up to 1 foot deep. Up to 12 drill sumps would be excavated to approximately 25 feet long by 14 feet wide, to a maximum depth of 4 feet.
Mogotes proposed constructing a new 340-foot access road, approximately 15 feet wide. No overland travel is proposed. One laydown area is proposed to be constructed to dimensions approximately 200 feet long by 100 feet wide and up to 1 foot deep. Project water would be sourced from existing private on-site springs, and daily water usage would not exceed 2,500 gallons. The action does not propose the use of cyanide or any ore-processing facilities.
Luke Ployhar - Exploration License #00860
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.
Washington Gulch, LLC – Operating Permit No. 00212
Washington Gulch LLC filed an application with the Department of Environmental Quality for a hard rock mining operating permit (pending Operating Permit No. 00212) under the Metal Mine Reclamation Act. The company would mine a placer deposit for free gold on private land in Washington Gulch. The proposed mining activity would be located in Section 18, Township 12 North, Range 8 West, approximately 14 miles north of Avon, Montana in Powell County.
Washington Gulch LLC proposes to mine a gravel deposit up to 23 feet below the ground surface in a 14-acre permit area with an anticipated total disturbance of 13.8 acres. The proposed mine would employ approximately two full or part-time employees. Mining activities would be performed for approximately nine years.
Recent Actions & Approvals
Completed Environmental Reviews
Recently Reviewed Operating Permit Projects
Recently Reviewed Exploration Licenses
Sentinel Metals (d.b.a., Great Plains Mining, LLC.)
Columbia Gold Project
Exploration License No. 00816
Amendment 2
- Approval to Proceed (Published June 5, 2026)
- Final Environmental Assessment (Published June 5, 2026)
- Draft Environmental Assessment (Published March 20, 2026)
- Bond Due Letter (Published September 28, 2026)
- Final Environmental Assessment (Published September 28, 2026)
- Draft Environmental Assessment (Published August 11, 2026)
- Application