21st Century Technology + Small Town Values = A Mine to Be Proud of
“This is an opportunity for thoughtful, planned, and managed growth that will allow our community to develop into a healthy, vibrant balance of population, homes, jobs, schools, medical and retirement services, etc.”
Rick Ellison, White Sulphur Springs
Economic Impact
We’re working with the community to build a business model that works for the people of Meagher County and Central Montana to prosper with the mine and for generations afterward.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Sandfire helped create the Meagher County Stewardship Council, an independent stakeholder group focused on community stewardship, environmental enhancement, and economic diversification. Black Butte Copper meets regularly with the Meagher County Stewardship Council to make sure we are addressing all concerns of the community.
- According to a 2021 Meagher County Housing Needs Assessment completed by HRDC, Meagher County must address an existing housing gap of 17-61 homes for rental, purchase, and senior housing, achieved through new construction and the revitalization of existing properties, to satisfy present community demands. Additionally, the assessment indicates that if the Black Butte Copper Mine and Gordon Butte projects move forward, this will increase that gap to between 112 and 144 homes.
- The Hard Rock Mining Impact Planning Act required the Company to meet with Meagher County, the City of White Sulphur and School District #8 to address socio-economic needs of the community that were created by the mine. In 2020, $437K was placed into escrow with money sent to Meagher Co. in lieu of future taxes for 3 years. All money in the escrow has been used by the local government entities.
- The Hard Rock Mining Impact Plan estimates that approximately 31 additional school-aged children will attend school in Meagher County during the operational stage of Black Butte Copper.
- The countywide taxable value could quadruple, and is projected to increase upwards of $20 million dollars. Currently, countywide taxable value is $7,888,020 (TY 2012-2013).
Jobs
“We’re always looking to find new ways to give back to and invest in Meagher County, and we’re committed to doing so. Black Butte Copper isn’t just about building the best mine… It’s about building a better community.”
Nancy Schlepp, Sandfire employee and Meagher County Rancher
We can only do this project right with insight and support from our community.
This is how Sandfire is engaging the people of Meahger County. From the begining through reclamation:
- We’re committed to operating in an open, inclusive and cooperative manner
- We seek input from our community members at every juncture
- We look for ways to support growth and economic opportunity
- Our tax funds can help improve local infrastructure.
- We provide family sustainable wages
- We’re protecting all of our natural resources
- We’re transparent and accessible and share information regularly
- Our company philosophy is to be involved in civic activities in the community
- Employees regularly volunteer their time in the community
Social Responsibility
The Meagher County Stewardship Council is committed to holding Sandfire Resources America, Inc. to the highest standards possible and ensuring that Black Butte Copper brings a net positive impact to the community. The Council’s mission statement reads, “The Meagher County Stewardship Council shepherds efforts to safeguard and enhance the natural resources, culture, and economic interests of Meagher County for the benefit of current and future generations.”
Today, the MCSC is a vibrant and emerging organization working at the nexus of community development and conservation. The Council aims to build and facilitate relationships across a wide range of regional stakeholders. In service of their mission, the MCSC seeks to implement innovative strategies to identify and tackle the most pressing challenges facing White Sulphur Springs and Meagher County.
Schedule a Tour
“We have designed, and are building, a state-of-the-art underground copper mine, setting a new standard in responsible development; not just in Montana, but worldwide. Our goal is to have a net positive impact environmentally, socially, and economically. Our doors are always open to visitors and we are happy to answer any questions or even give folks who stop by a tour. “
Lincoln Greenidge, CEO of Sandfire America
COME SEE FOR YOURSELF
STEM SUMMER CAMP DATES
2021-2021 SCHOOL YEAR 3RD - 6TH GRADERS (STUDENTS GOING INTO GRADES 4 - 7 IN THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR) MONDAY, JUNE 21-THURSDAY, JUNE 24
2021-2021 SCHOOL YEAR 7TH - 8TH GRADERS (STUDENTS GOING INTO GRADES 8 - 9 IN THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR) WEDNESDAY, JULY 28-THURSDAY, JULY 29
2021-2021 SCHOOL YEAR 9TH - 11TH GRADE GIRLS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (GIRLS GOING INTO GRADES 10 - 12 IN THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR) MONDAY, AUGUST 2
STEM SUMMER CAMP
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH
FREE FOR ALL WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS SCHOOL YEAR 2020-2021 3RD - 6TH GRADERS (STUDENTS GOING INTO GRADES 4TH - 7TH IN THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR)
MONDAY, JUNE 21-THURSDAY, JUNE 24 9 AM - 4 PM DROP OFF & PICK UP AT SCHOOL PLAYGROUND
JUST A FEW OF THE MANY TOPICS WE WILL LEARN:
FLORA & FAUNA ECOLOGY
LOCAL GEOLOGY
WATER HEALTH & QUALITY
CAREERS IN STEM FIELDS
LINK TO REGISTRATION: HTTPS://DOCS.GOOGLE.COM/FORMS/D/ E/1FAIPQLSD2VA3FIXOE19UGR0PWQNQEA 6UHPJJ_LZ0L3JBIOSSKZRGVA/VIEWFORM?USP=SF_LINK
WANT SOME MORE INFORMATION? CONTACT ALLIE COUGHLIN (406) 547-3466 ACOUGHLIN@SANDFIREAMERICA.COM
SPONSORED AND DIRECTED BY BLACK BUTTE COPPER
3RD-6TH GRADE SUMMER STEM PROGRAM
MONDAY - THURSDAY 9AM-4PM
Frequently Asked Questions
What Impact Will A Mine Have On The Community?
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.
What Type of Investment Will Be Made to Bring the Mine to Fruition?
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.
Do Montanans sit on the Board of Directors?
Yes, two Montanans sit on the Board of Directors, one from White Sulphur Springs and one from Helena. A third board member, our CEO, lives in White Sulphur Springs making it so three out of five board members are Montana based. The other two board members are from Sandfire Resources Australia who are an 87% shareholder of the publicly traded company Sandfire Resources American Inc., who has 100% ownership of the U.S. subsidiary, Tintina Montana Inc.