WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, Mont. – Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen visited Meagher County this week, touring the Black Butte Copper Project.
Nancy Schlepp, VP Communications and Corporate Secretary, provided Secretary Jacobsen with an update on the project which is currently approved for Phase 1.
“It’s been really exciting from my perspective for the community,” said Schlepp, who grew up in nearby Ringling and attended White Sulphur Springs Schools. “We have a lot of support here that we’ve built over the years, I would say probably 90 percent plus.”
Schlepp discussed the history of the land and explained the project’s “best practice modern mining” techniques, describing how the highly engineered underground mine will operate with a “small footprint and low environmental impact.”
The Black Butte Copper Project has been touted as one of the highest-grade copper developments in the world. Schlepp says the project is estimated to bring 240 top-paying jobs to the area, creating unique opportunities for White Sulphur Springs, Meagher County, and the surrounding areas.
“We spent a lot of time trying to answer the questions of the community. I would say that we didn’t start at a point of this much support of 90 percent, but we definitely got here over time,” explained Schlepp. “Everyone is excited for good jobs to come here, everyone is excited about the economic opportunities, and really the opportunity of greater infrastructure and diversifying our economy so that we aren’t going to be a dying rural community like a lot of areas in the United States.”
Secretary Jacobsen thanked Schlepp and the local Black Butte Copper Project team – a staff of Montanans – for the opportunity to visit the project site.
“It was great to see how the Black Butte Copper Project will create opportunities for the community and strengthen Montana’s business landscape,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “Thank you to Nancy Schlepp and the local staff involved with the project for taking the time to answer questions and showcase the project’s goals.”
