Butte Highlands
Butte Highlands – The Next Great Mine in Montana?
The Butte Highlands project is located along the Continental Divide about 10 miles south of Butte, Montana. Historic workings date from the late 1860’s and mining continued into the 1940’s.
SMD mobilized in late summer 2009 and begin clearing and portal pad excavation. It took most of the rest of the year to finish the shop facilities, office, dry, waste dump, dewatering and stormwater ponds, and land application systems for the project. The portal was constructed in January 2010. A total of 4,500 feet of 14’ wide by 16’ high development was completed to establish various drill platforms.
A major drill program was undertaken in early 2011 to determine the nature of the mineralization, mine planning parameters for permitting activities and to help ascertain the economic viability of the project. Drilling was completed in late 2011 and engineering and permitting studies are underway.
SMD remains on a care and maintenance status at Butte Highlands while plans are finalized for the mine. We are hopeful this will be the next great mine in Montana.
