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.”

Mike Eby, 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 meets regularly with a community group to make sure we are addressing all concerns of the community
  • Sandfire is creating a Stakeholder group including the Montana conservation community and local/regional leaders to be involved in environmental stewardship.
  • The Montana Business Assistance Connection (MBAC) has projected that mine development will require 112 housing units in the community.
  • The Hard Rock Mining Impact Planning Act will help address the infrastructure needs of the community upfront.
  • Approximately 31 additional school-aged children will attend school in Meagher County during operational stage.
  • 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).
  • The MBAC also projects annual retail sales increasing by $3.4 million during the life of the mine.

Jobs

Based on our expectation of 240 employees and 50 full time contractors, we project that we will be the largest employer in a 50 mile radius giving a significant economic boost to all of Montana.

  • There will be approximately 200 positions needed during the mine construction phase which will last 24-36 months. When the mine opens, the operational phase will provide approximately 240 jobs.
  • Positions will range from mine operators to truck drivers, electricians, mechanics, business and accounting services, management personnel and related occupations such as engineers, geologists, hydrologists, surveyors, maintenance personnel and other technical support positions. There will also be private contractors hired to perform certain tasks.
  • Compensation will be based on skill level, experience training and education. Entry level 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 $65,000 per year including benefits. More highly skilled positions could expect compensation packages commensurate with industry standards for Montana and surrounding region.
MORE ABOUT JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Social Responsibility

“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 4th Generation 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

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
Meagher County Stewardship Council is invested in ensuring that Sandfire Resources America, Inc. is held to the highest standard and that Black Butte Copper has a net positive impact on the community. Their mission statement is as follows: “The Meagher County Stewardship Council is a non-profit citizens group that champions the long-term environmental, cultural, and economic interests of county residents, and advocates for a vibrant and sustainable future for all of Meagher County.

Meagher County Stewardship Council

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

MORE INFO TO COME ON THE GIRLS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM!
INTERESTED? CONTACT ALLIE COUGHLIN (406) 547-3466 ACOUGHLIN@SANDFIREAMERICA.COM
SPONSORED BY BLACK BUTTE COPPER

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

MONDAY
9 AM - 9:30 AM DROP OFF / PLAYGROUND TIME 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM SETTING EXPECTATIONS 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM ASTRONOMY LESSON 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM GALAXY TIE DYE 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM LUNCH 12:45 PM - 2:00 PM FAUNA / ECOLOGY 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ANIMAL ECOLOGY GAMES 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM SNACK TIME 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM PARK RANGER GAME
TUESDAY
9 AM - 9:15 AM DROP OFF / PLAYGROUND TIME 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM BUS TO MEMORIAL FALLS 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM HIKE IN 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM GEOLOGY CLASS 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM LUNCH 12:45 PM - 2:00 PM STREAM STUDY 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM HIKE OUT 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM BUS HOME / SNACK ON THE BUS
WEDNESDAY
9 AM - 9:30 AM DROP OFF / PLAY GROUND TIME 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM "W H A T DOES A SCIENTIST LOOK LIKE " ACTIVITY 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM SOIL LESSON / SAMPLING 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM PLAY GROUND TIME 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM LUNCH 12:45 PM - 2:00 PM NATIVE VS INVASIVE SPECIES 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM FLORA SCAVENGER HUNT 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM SNACK TIME 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM GAME
THURSDAY
9AM - 9:30 AM DROP OFF / PLAY GROUND TIME 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM BUILDING A CATAPULT 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM CATAPULT RESULTS 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM PLAY GROUND TIME 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM LUNCH 12:45 PM - 2:00 PM "RIVER CONNECTS US" ACTIVITY 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM SNACK TIME 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM BEAD ACTIVITY 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM GAME
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What impact will this have to the community?

The Montana Business Assistance Connection has projected that mine development will require 112 housing units in the community and predicts that approximately 31 additional school-aged children will attend school in Meagher County during operational stage. The countywide taxable value is projected to increase upwards of $20 million dollars. Currently, countywide taxable value is $7,888,020 (TY 2012-2013). MBAC also projects annual retail sales increasing by $3.4 million during the life of the mine.

What Type of Investment Will Be Made to Bring the Mine to Fruition?

To get to this point, approximately $100 million has been spent to date. In 2020 alone, almost $8 million was spent in the local region. The Feasibility Study estimates that mine construction will cost approximately $275 million. A great deal of this investment will benefit the White Sulphur Springs community, Central Montana and the State of Montana through taxes.

What type of wages will be paid?

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.

SEE ALL FAQs