Just a few hours from Big Ski Resort, the most famous Montana mining site, Butte, is where it all started. Butte is partially responsible for what made Montana what it is today.
When did coal mining start in Montana? Why does Montana specialize in mining and agriculture? While it may seem obvious, there are some key reasons why things unfolded the way they did here. Following Butte, the greatest gold mines in Montana emerged. Later, the state of Montana coal mines created some significant troubles.
From the first mining sites, their evolution, and their renovation up to new prospecting in Montana, here is the story of Montana mining.
In this article:
- The Role of Gold in Montana Mining
- Copper as the New Gold in Montana Mining
- Coal: Need or Hazard for Montana?
- Health, Mines and the Environment
- What Impact Did Mining Have on Indians in Montana?
- What About Now? Are Montana Mining Sites Closing Up?
- Will Renewable Energy Be the End of Mining?
The Role of Gold in Montana Mining
When talking about the old mining towns in Montana, the first places that come to mind are Bannack and Butte. While Bannack offered large quantities of gold and silver, mining in Butte, Montana showed a completely different reality: it was the greatest copper mine Montana ever saw, but copper wasn’t appreciated at the beginning of Montana mining history.
Montana gold mining maps started to reflect the steady growth of different industries in the state. It seemed that here, we could turn literally anything into gold and silver. Wherever people found gold, Montana gold mines popped up.
Other mining towns in Montana that came to life specifically for gold are Garnet and Comet, which soon turned from Montana mining towns to Montana ghost towns. These are now among the most treasured tourist sites in Montana.
Montana state minerals increased in value and mining towns began to flourish. Specifically, Bannack became the best-known town for minerals found in Montana, starting with gold but soon increasing its reach to silver and load. But mining in Montana was driven by a gold rush, so how does Butte fit into this story?
Copper as the New Gold in Montana Mining
Until 1880, in fact, there was no interest in copper at all. But things suddenly changed and Butte took the lead for Montana gold mines.
At the start of the 20th century, the demand for copper rose exponentially due to ongoing industrialization and the development of electrical wiring. Butte became one of the most important towns in Montana mining history.
But, what about coal?
Coal: Need or Hazard for Montana?
Gold, silver, copper. What else? One of the most challenging jobs in Montana mining was the extraction of coal.
When Did Coal Mining Start in Montana?
Coal mining in Montana began in 1880 and flourished by 1918. By the 1940s, the industry hit its peak and as the use of steam locomotives faded, the coal mining industry in Montana hit its bottom in 1958.
Back in the Day, Montana Meant “Coal”
Gold and silver are minerals with intrinsic value and will likely always be beneficial. The same cannot be said about coal, whose demand depends on different factors.
Coal mining in Montana began in the territorial days. At first for heating fuel and later for the railroads. For decades, Montana was responsible for 40% of the national US coal production and many projects were just waiting to be processed for the expansion of a dedicated railroad.
As the years passed, several mining accidents cast a shadow over the mining industry in Montana. Safety has always been a core issue in this industry as well.
For example, in 1943, right at the peak of Montana mining, a devastating explosion occurred in Smith Mine #3 due to a buildup of methane gas. The event will never be forgotten among the state’s mining community. Events like these cast a shadow over the mining industry in the state.
And today, mining in Montana is facing important environmental issues, such as water and soil contamination, partially due to open-pit coal mines. However, safety and environmental issues aren’t what inevitably caused the rapid decline of Montana coal mining. In fact, some of the Montana mines that were active in the middle of the century were believed to have healing properties.
Mines as Health Resorts and the End of Mining in the State
Back in 1949, the first Montana uranium mines emerged and within a few decades, six of them were flourishing in western Montana.
These were some of the few uranium mines that have existed on US territory and were considered “health mines”. It was believed that the radioactivity of these mines and radon, in particular, could cure many illnesses. But, as you may have guessed, the World Health Organization had a different opinion.
Ultimately, the phasing out of steam locomotives shortly after the Smith Mine accident is primarily responsible for the decline of Montana coal mining in the middle of the 20th century. And today, there’s a new problem facing Montana mining.
Health, Mines, and the Environment
When you consider that 52% of the MT population favor alternative energy like wind and water, the future of Montana mines appears dim.
Many gold mines in Montana, as well as Montana uranium mines or silver and coal mines, scarred the environment of the state, which has taken years upon years to restore. One example is Butte, where restoration is an ongoing process that has cost more than $1 billion. Another is Bannack, which has been completed and is now open to visitors from all over the world.
It seems that while the same economic factors that pushed and pulled Montana mining 80 years ago are still active today, there’s another issue at play – the importance of protecting the environment and mitigating the damage that mining in Montana has caused to the land. It seems to be a matter of protecting the sacred vs fostering economic development.
The situation on the Native American reservations today in Montana is a perfect example of this.
What Impact Did Mining Have on Indians in Montana?
“I don’t want to be that poor again that I will live on deer meat.”
This quote represents one attitude the Native tribes of Montana have today towards coal mining on their land.
While the Native American reservations constitute just 2% of the entire territory of the United States, their land is estimated to contain roughly 20% of the nation’s petroleum, plus major coal reserves.
The Crow tribe in Montana generally welcomes coal mining. Some of their tribal figures see it as a way to reverse poverty on their reservation. Yet the Cheyenne have a different opinion.
“Our ancestors worked so hard to maintain a pristine area here – and we are surrounded by coal mines, coal generating power plants,” says Northern Cheyenne Tribe Vice President Conrad Fisher.
It’s an interesting force that’s definitely at play today in the development of Montana mining.
What About Now? Are Montana Mining Sites Closing Up?
Today, mines are being recovered and new environmental standards have been put in place.
Montana has launched a program called Abandoned Mine Lands. It promotes the reclamation and acquisition of lands that were abandoned after their exploitation – lands that left a major impact on their surroundings. Some of them are still considered threats to the environment and wildlife in Montana.
Montana mining endeavors are still active. These include Peloton Minerals’ copper project near Butte and two Sibanye Stillwater mines near Billings, where palladium and platinum are extracted. I know platinum can be used to clean up wastewaters. I wonder if this isn’t a coincidence.
As for copper, there is the active Continental Pit mine in Butte.
How Many People Are Employed in Coal Mining in Montana Today?
There are about 6,500 direct and indirectly related coal mining jobs in Montana. This includes mine workers (1,464 people), support activities (61), transportation (712), and other direct and indirect jobs.
How Many People Are Employed in Mining in Montana Today?
There are about 21,000 direct and indirectly related mining jobs in the state of Montana. This includes mine workers (5,440 people), support activities (209), transportation (2,900), and other direct and indirect jobs.
Will Renewable Energy Be the End of Mining?
Montana’s mining industry begins with a booming gold and copper industry. But as demands change, so has the direction of this industry. Mining in the state continues, however, some mines are taking into account environmental concerns. Many of them operate in a way that minimizes pollution.
From Mining Towns to Ghost Towns
And still, many Montana mines have gained fame as niche tourist destinations. Some abandoned mining sites have turned over into active Montana ghost towns, where activities like wildlife viewing, shooting, and sightseeing have gained popularity.
One gold mine in Montana that’s been repurposed to preserve the mining history of Montana is Garnet. Back in 2015, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offered visitors free accommodation in Garnet if they helped take care of the buildings and the surrounding area. We’re not sure if this program is still active.
Many ranches were established just outside different mining sites when they first appeared. They supplied cattle, beef, and, in general, meat for the miners. So today, when visiting a dude ranch, there’s also the chance that visiting a nearby ghost town is on the list of things to do.
Final Words
With modern progress in renewable energies and with the attention people are giving to the environment and climate change, the fate of Montana mining is uncertain.
Will Montana mining ever disappear? Will all present-day mining sites in the state simply turn into tourist attractions or be recovered? It seems hard to believe. But, will it be necessary?
