Initiative Would Block Rock Creek, Montanore, Black Butte Copper Mines

In a study of Montana’s hardrock mining industry the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business & Economic Research (BBER) concluded that mining plays an essential role in the state economy—generating nearly $199.4 million in state and local revenues each year. These funds generated by Montana mining support schools, local infrastructure, emergency services, law enforcement, and other critical community services. The economic analysis revealed that mining in Montana currently creates:

*12,304 permanent, year-round jobs

*$86,030 per year in individual earnings

*$2.7 billion dollars of economic output annually

The study also evaluated the potential economic benefits if three proposed new mines are permitted and brought into operation. The three potential mines considered by the study are the Rock Creek, Montanore, and Black Butte Copper mines. It is anticipated that these three mining projects would generate:

* 3,531 new jobs across many industry sectors by 2025

* $450 million more each year in economic output

* $35 million in new, additional state tax revenue by 2025

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