Governor Greg Gianforte hosted a roundtable discussion with mining industry representatives at Montana Tech in Butte on April 17 to discuss the importance of critical mineral production in Montana. The event brought together more than a dozen industry partners, including Sibanye Stillwater, Montana Resources, Black Butte Copper, U.S. Antimony Corporation, and Sentinel Metals.
The governor said that Montana’s history of mining spans over two centuries and continues to play a vital role in supporting national security and creating jobs. “Montana is proud of our of 200-year-old history of mining, from the gold rush to the copper boom,” Gianforte said. “Our natural resource abundance makes us a national leader in critical mineral production – strengthening our mining industry, creating more good-paying jobs, and stabilizing our domestic supply chains.”
Participants discussed how the state’s significant deposits of minerals such as tungsten, antimony, cobalt, nickel, copper, palladium, and platinum are important for defense manufacturing, energy production, and technology. As China and Russia are leading producers of some key minerals like platinum and antimony, officials said increasing domestic output could help reduce reliance on foreign sources.
Matt Vincent, executive director of the Montana Mining Association thanked Gianforte for his support. “Thank you Governor Gianforte for your strong support of our vital industry,” Vincent said. “Montana is the lifeline for strengthening our domestic supply chains. Our natural resources are unlike any other state; we must unleash Montana mining for the sake of our national security.”
Gianforte also highlighted recent federal efforts to boost critical mineral production under President Donald J. Trump’s administration by expediting permitting processes for U.S. mines and identifying potential sites on federal land.
“With President Trump in the White House and our strong partnership with the federal delegation,” Gianforte concluded during the discussion,“we have more opportunity than ever before to make Montana the hub of critical mineral production. And as other states pick winners and losers in the industry; Montana won’t.”
