Libby Chamber supports Montanore Mine project
As you may know, the Forest Service is seeking public comments on the proposed Libby Exploration Project at the previously titled ‘Montanore’ site.
Montana Minerals Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hecla Mining, Inc. and a local Chamber member, has requested the ability to access their site using Libby Creek Road and execute an exploration project on their private ground to gather geotechnical and hydrological information to inform the decision processes necessary to determine if a mine can or should be developed.
On behalf of our members, the Chamber wrote in support of the proposed exploration project. When approved, Montanore Minerals Corporation will be able to dewater the current adit at the mine site and finish drilling to access areas where information about the ore body and the surrounding rock can be gathered for analysis.
Our business members have an interest in the project’s jobs creation since the early adit dewatering rehabilitation process will generate 6 to 10 jobs and then generate 30 to 35 direct jobs and additional indirect jobs during the adit extension process. Since our area has long endured a very high unemployment rate, the income generated by these jobs will be a welcome addition to our area.
Our members also have a deep interest in protecting the environmental amenities that are central to our quality of life. Of utmost concern is the protection of water resources. We are pleased that the proposed project will provide both surface and ground water protection by using the Water Treatment facility already operational on site, monitor both ground and surface water during the project and upgrade the treatment facility and/or implement additional measures to ensure continued compliance with future permit discharge requirements.
We are pleased that this project can be undertaken with no impact to wildlife including the grizzly bear and lynx and with no effect on the character of the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness.
The benefit of good paying jobs without environmental impacts while gathering much-needed information gives us reason to offer our support of the proposed Plan of Operations for the Libby Exploration Project.
We strongly encourage our members and the public to comment on this important project. The deadline for comment is February 20.
You can drop your comment at the Kootenai Supervisors Office in Libby or go to https://libbyexplorationproject.com/ or to the USFS Kootenai Forest website to send in a comment electronically.
Very Truly Yours,
Libby Area Chamber of Commerce Board
Emily Gilbert, Chamber Board President