DEQ Requests Public Comment on Draft Environmental Assessment for Exploration Project Near Butte and Walkerville

• Madison McGeffers
• February 13 2026 The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is requesting public comment on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed exploration project Butte and Walkerville in Silver Bow County. The draft EA is specific to an exploration project proposed by SBM Montana LLC (SBM), formerly Butte Blackjack Operating, LLC.

Exploration is a distinct activity from mining and is intended to collect data and characterize commercial potential of an ore body for possible mining. SBM submitted a complete exploration license amendment application and supplemental documents to DEQ on December 8, 2025. The proposed exploration project is similar to a proposal from Butte Blackjack Operating, LLC in 2021.

In the application, SBM proposes to perform surface drilling operations, excavate a new portal and drive a shaft underground to bulk sample underground ore. The exploration activities would take place near Butte and Walkerville  with about 12 acres of disturbance to occur on ground previously disturbed by exploration or historic mining activities.

Surface drilling operations would include the construction of up to seven new drill pads. From these pads, the operator proposes to drill from 4-10 holes per pad, with a total of up to 53 drill holes and a maximum drill depth of up to 7,000 feet. The proposed surface drilling would total up to 102,000 feet between the 53 holes.  Underground operations would include the excavation of one new portal, the Rainbow Decline Waste rock stockpiles would remain and be recontoured to blend into the adjoining topography, soiled, and seeded for revegetation. Up to 10,000 tons of ore would be stockpiled for bulk testing. SBM proposes that the exploration work would be completed no later than December 31, 2029, and the reclamation work would be completed no later than December 31, 2031.

In the draft EA, DEQ discloses the potential impacts from the project and assesses the significance of those impacts. Exploration License.

DEQ prepared the draft EA to analyze potential impacts from the proposed project. To submit public comment or view the document, please visit the DEQ website. DEQ will accept public comments on the Draft EA until 11:59 p.m. on March 2, 2026.

References and links in this press release may not work once public comment periods and documents are no longer active. Please submit an information request if you are looking for documents that are not available through the DEQ website.

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