The principal stream near the mine is Sheep Creek—to protect Sheep Creek, the mill facility and cemented tailings impoundment are one mile south of Sheep Creek. A tiny streamlet, Raccoon Creek, lies between the facility and Sheep Creek. A branch of Little Sheep Creek lies east of the surface facility but in a different sub-tributary drainage. Our top priority is protecting all water sources.

The Smith River is 19 stream miles from the confluence of Sheep Creek and the Smith River. To protect all water resources, the cemented tailings facility will be located one mile off Sheep Creek, and all facilities including the tunnel opening will be located out of the valley, in a saddle of Sawmill Hill. Sandfire purposely chose this distant location to ensure a superior job of environmental management for the mine site and for protection of all local waterways.Read More

The Project lies near a prominent hill called Black Butte.

The Black Butte Copper Project is located 17 miles north of White Sulphur Springs, and two miles west of U.S. Highway 89. The confluence of the Smith River and Sheep Creek is 19 miles downstream. To protect all water resources, the surface facilities, including the tunnel opening, mill and cemented tailings facility will be located off Sheep Creek, out of the valley, in a saddle of Sawmill Hill with the cemented tailings facility located 1 mile away. Sandfire purposely chose this distant location to ensure a superior job of environmental management for the mine site and for protection of all local waterways.