Listen • 3:16
Montana environmental regulators are dropping their case to disqualify Hecla Mining from getting future mining permits in the state. The company’s CEO was previously an executive with Pegasus Gold, which abandoned mines in Montana.
Critics say there could be consequences for not seeking penalties under Montana’s “bad actors” law.
Montana Department of Environmental Quality Director Chris Dorrington says the state dropped its case against Hecla Mining Company after three years in court because the cost of litigating the case wasn’t worth the likely outcome.
“One of our original goals was also to seek reimbursement costs, which now seems an unlikely outcome of the case,” Dorrington says.
Environmentalists Seek to Halt Montana Copper Mine Over Concerns About Local River
A Montana copper mine was to employ a new mining technique, but environmental groups say the state failed in its permit process to properly review effects on nearby waters.
The Smith River is 19 miles from a new copper mine in Montana that will tap into a copper reserve that is one of the largest in the state. (Photo courtesy of Montana Department of Tourism)
(CN) The Montana Department of Environmental Quality failed to properly evaluate the environmental impacts of a new mining technique to be used in a proposed copper mine in eastern Montana, attorneys argued in state district court Friday.
Community briefs: Bike locks available; environmental issues topic of LWVHA meeting; McLeans honored with award; student news helenair.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from helenair.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Pay attention to truth about climate change helenair.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from helenair.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.