Klepfer: Montanore is closer than ever to achieving permit

Eric Klepfer, environmental consultant for the Montanore project, admits its been a long road in the permitting process of Montanore Minerals, Inc., but he said he still expects to see the mine receive a permit this fall.

“We’re kind of thinking October or November is doable,” Kleper said last week.

“We had everything ready, hoping to go into construction this fall, but we don’t know whether we’re going to get anything (construction) done this year.”

Still, he is optimistic the federal agencies can get their work done and offer a record of decision.

Klepfer said in anticipation of a decision this fall, Montanore officials have been backdating work plans so when a decision is rendered the company can hit the ground running.

“We really feel like we’re in the last few steps to getting this done, and all those last few steps are well under way. That’s a position we have never been in,” Klepfer said.

The question swirling around the Montanore project is a lawsuit brought by Libby Creek Ventures, a group with claims on the property.

In April, Judge James Wheelis ruled against Montanore, but a resolution is in the process.

“Mines Management is working with them, and we do not expect a delay in the permitting process,” Klepfer said.

The case dates back to September 1984, when Ralph Bakie and Dan Reid, now deceased, discovered gold and quartz on some of the claims on Libby Creek. Montanore purchased the property and constructed a mine adit that crossed into the claims in 1989. In 2002, Montanore terminated the lease and returned the easement to the grantors, Big John Mining Company and Rodan, Inc. (now Libby Creek Ventures).

The defendants claim that they have restaked these unpatented claims producing valuable minerals. The plaintiff, Montanore, said the defendants exploring and mining its claims would be cause for actionable trespass.

Klepfer said the U.S. Forest Service is involved in the permitting process, and will not get involved in a civil suit, Klepfer said.

“Yes, it could be resolved before the permitting, but we just don’t know,” he said.