Continuous News

Highlands Gold Mine near Butte hoping to begin operations by end of year

Posted: Jan 16, 2013 9:19 PM by Katy Harris KXLF News
Updated: Jan 17, 2013 2:31 PM

BUTTE-The highland mountains south of Butte could become the site for a 20 acre underground gold mine by the end of this year.

Timberline Resources of Coeur D'Alene is currently in the permitting process of the Butte Highlands Joint Venture project.

The project lies about 15 miles south of Butte.

Tonight the company's Vice President of Exploration, Steve Osterberg spoke to the Big Hole Watershed Committee about the project.

Water discharge will flow into three drainages, including Moose Creek and eventually flow into the Big Hole Basin. Fish Creek will also receive some water discharge and flow towards Whitehall and Basin Creek that will flow to the Clark Fork basin.

Osterberg says the water discharge flow will be monitored periodically and regularly to ensure it meets environmental standards.

The monitoring interval will be determined by the Department of Environmental Quality as part of the permitting process.

Big Hole Watershed Committee Member Jim Hagenbarth says, "I think with the regulations they have now that they're following it sounds like they have it covered and they're very sincere in doing a good job and a matter of fact because of their bond they're probably required to do a good job."

If the permitting process is approved by this Fall, mining operations could begin by the end of this year.