Governor Gianforte Hosts Critical Minerals Roundtable at Montana Tech

Governor's Office

BUTTE, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte yesterday hosted a roundtable discussion at Montana Tech in Butte with representatives from the mining industry to highlight critical mineral production in Montana and its role in strengthening our national security, creating good-paying jobs, and restoring American supply dominance.

"Montana is proud of our of 200-year-old history of mining, from the gold rush to the copper boom," Gov. Gianforte said. "Our natural resource abundance makes us a national leader in critical mineral production - strengthening our mining industry, creating more good-paying jobs, and stabilizing our domestic supply chains."

Gov. Gianforte speaking during a roundtable discussion with representatives of the mining industry at Montana Tech in Butte

Joining the governor for the discussion were over a dozen industry partners including representatives of Sibanye Stillwater, Montana Resources, Black Butte Copper, U.S. Antimony Corporation, and Sentinel Metals, among others.

Montana holds significant deposits of critical minerals used for defense manufacturing, energy production, and technology, including tungsten, antimony, cobalt, nickel, copper, palladium, and platinum, to name a few. As China and Russia are the leading producers of platinum, palladium, and antimony, Montana mines are bolstering production to reduce reliance on foreign sources.

"Thank you, Governor Gianforte for your strong support of our vital industry," Executive Director of the Montana Mining Association Matt Vincent said. "Montana is the lifeline for strengthening our domestic supply chains. Our natural resources are unlike any other state, we must unleash Montana mining for the sake of our national security."

Highlighting increased support from President Donald J. Trump for critical mineral production, the governor outlined a recent executive order to expedite permitting for U.S. mines and to identify potential sites on Federal land for future development.

"With President Trump in the White House and our strong partnership with the federal delegation, we have more opportunity than ever before to make Montana the hub of critical mineral production. And, as other states pick winners and losers in the industry, Montana won't," Gov. Gianforte concluded.

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