Lawmakers highlight importance of mining for MT jobs, communities, economy
U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines led Senator Jon Tester and Congressmen Ryan Zinke and Matt Rosendale in sending the Biden administration a letter of support for the Sibanye-Stillwater Mine’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement regarding the East Boulder Mine.
“We write to you today to express our strong support of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement regarding the East Boulder Mine issued by the U.S. Forest Service, the Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. We are grateful that Sibanye-Stillwater, as the only primary producer of platinum and palladium in the United States, has put forward an approach that ensures sustainable and responsible mining in Montana.
“Sibanye-Stillwater is the lifeblood of many communities in south-central Montana. Not only does Sibanye-Stillwater contribute to the national production of Platinum Group Metal (PGMs), but the company provides excellent paying jobs for nearly 2,000 employees across multiple counties and ultimately contributes over $6 billion in economic output to Montana. It is important to note that both platinum and palladium are on the United States Geological Survey’s critical minerals list and any reduction of domestic production will increase our dependency on foreign imports. Accordingly, the mine is vital to both Montana communities and our national security,” the letter reads.
Read the full letter sent to U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore HERE.