Currently, the Company has 25 employees, several contractors and many businesses working on the project and has invested on the average $6,607,846 million per year in Montana since the mining project’s inception in 2010.

Sandfire has spent approximately $147,791,421 million to date including the cost to receive a Mine Operating Permit. A great deal of this investment will benefit the White Sulphur Springs community and the surrounding area.

The Montana Hard Rock Mining Impact Act, a law unique to Montana and of great importance for local governments, requires a large-scale mineral development to prepare a Hard Rock Mining Impact Plan (“HRMIP”) which describes the social and economic impacts the mineral development will have on affected units of local government. The Company must then provide the local governmental entities funding to address identified financial impacts. Local government entities affected by Black Butte Copper are Meagher County, the City of White Sulphur Springs, and White Sulphur Springs Public School District #8. The agreed Black Butte Copper HRMIP required the Company to place $437,000 into an escrow account available for access by the local government entities as needed during mine construction. Over the years of 2020, 2021, and 2022, all money was drawn from the account for use by these entities. This process undergoes an annual review ensuring that the mine is adequately covering impacts.

Black Butte Copper’s Hard Rock Mining Impact Plan projects that at the peak production phase, Meagher County is projected to have 258 people move in, with 232 of them residing in the City of White Sulphur Springs. This includes 25 Elementary K-8 students and 10 High School students during the production phase which tapers off to four Elementary K-8 students and two High School students near the end of the project. The added mineral development taxable value is projected to be $8,235,000 at peak copper production.

Compensation will be based on skill level, experience training and education. Labor positions will begin around $15/hr. for entry level and $29/hr. for experienced miners and include benefit packages for health insurance, sick leave, vacation leave and some form of retirement package. The average wage of workers will be approximately $71,000 per year including benefits. More highly skilled positions could expect compensation packages commensurate with industry standards for Montana and surrounding region.

The construction of Black Butte Copper will bring significant economic benefit for Meagher County and surrounding areas from . The construction of the mine will last 24 months and need approximately 200-400 contracted positions . When the mine opens, the operation will employ approximately 240 full time jobs and 50 full time contractors. Job types will range from underground miners to truck drivers, electricians, mechanics, business and accounting service staff, clerical support staff, human resources staff, management personnel and related occupations such as engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, hydrologists, surveyors, maintenance personnel and other technical support positions.

Mining covers a large spectrum of skills including; mechanics, electricians, miners, mill operators, underground truck drivers, entry level positions, administrative assistance, engineers, metallurgists, geologists, environmental specialists, reclamation managers, accountants, and human resource specialists.

Yes, local hires are critical in ensuring a stable work force and supporting our local economy. It is important to maximize our local/regional hires. We plan to have local Mine Safety and Health Act (MSHA) trainings and other job trainings that will help the work force prepare for job opportunities.

There are three stages of a mine: permitting, construction, and operations. Each stage will have a different level of employment, and we are currently in the permitting stage.Read More