MONTANORE MINE ISSUES

by John & Sarah Hogan 10.18.2015

John & Sarah did a commendable job of presenting a slide show of
pictures and facts about the Montanore mine. However, considering
there was a mulltitude of integrated information, the following notes
likely contain errors in spite of my best efforts.
It seemed overwhelming to hear the engineering and administrative
challenges John presented, causing us to be amazed at how they have
managed to persevere. The location of the mine was initially discovered
by an aerial view showing rock cliffs with copper exposed. It must
have been a thrilling discovery to those searching for such evidence.
The work that followed has been significant, requiring equipment,
buildings in which to house operations, 3 water systems (all from Libby
Creek), filtering systems, treatment plant, a crushing mill and lengthy
conveyor belt - not to mention the purchase of over 5000 acres to
insure the Grizzly Bears are not disturbed. It has been developed to
the point they now have 7000 of an addit tunnel averaging about a 6%
grade headed toward the main deposit. The rock is so dense they can
only proceed about 10 a day.
They have a lined waste drop lake to avoid nitrate seepage, a settling
pond, filtering by a mixture of coal, sand & garnet, testing of which
shows it to be cleaner than Libby water. Equipment includes a 10,000
gallon tank + others, 9000 filters which are cleaned about twice a year,
and numerous other processes which I couldnt keep up with.
There is still 3000 to go to reach the main deposit, but it is on
property owned by the forest service, from whom they are still waiting
for signed paperwork agreeing to the final decision. Challenges have
been reviewed and addressed numerous times. The last review was last
summer and revealed no findings which would hinder the signing.

One legal benefit from all this has been a change in the law that
says, if they want another review they have to speak-up prior to
the record of decision, not after it has been made - which has
been their practice in the past.
The final record of decision was initially promised no later than
September, but unexplained delays continue. Senator Daines,
Congressman Zinke and environmental contenders have now come
alongside, taking it to Washington DC to find out why its being held up.
Once all paperwork has cleared and they are free to function they
figure it will take:
2 years in a pre-construction phase
3 years in construction
15-20 years of operation
3 years of clean-up
Employees needed are estimated to be:
450-500 for construction
300 for full operation with a payroll of about 30 million per year
3.3 community jobs created for each Montanore employee
Every job adds 3-5 more in community services which spreads to
surrounding counties generating about $4.8 million by the 5th year of
operation.
Follow-up Discussion revealed the importance of calling our
representatives and asking for the Natural Resource Person. These
positions are often handled by non-elected people and they need to be
encouraged to take action.
At this time the price of metals is so low, the mining process would
not be cost effective. The reasons for it being so low include the

facts that fewer products are using metals, the prices are being
manipulated, and smelting facilities are no longer allowed in this
country. Once the Montanore Mine is functioning, the metal will be
taken by truck to Libby and put on a train to Mexico for smelting.
While they wait, John & one other employee are the only ones
maintaining the systems. Once the final decision has been signed, it is
certain the environmentalists will again sue to stop the mining.