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.
Social Responsibility
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. “
Rob Scargill, CEO of Sandfire America
COME SEE FOR YOURSELFMeagher 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.
We were so excited to host our inaugural summer of K-12 STEM Camps in the summer of 2021. Campers learned about geology, ecology, astronomy, hydrology, and careers in STEM over the course of 3 programs. See photos of camp life above.
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.