Source:  Helena Independent Record    August 15, 2017    By:  Tom Kuglin

The company proposing a copper mine in the Smith River watershed near White Sulphur Springs has cleared its first regulatory hurdle.

Tintina Resources Inc. received notice from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality Monday, informing it that its application for a permit to mine has met its completeness and compliance review.  That triggers an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Black Butte Copper Project — a year-long review process that includes public comment and likely public hearings.

“This has been a long and involved process, and we now can clearly demonstrate that the development and operation of this state-of-the-art projects meets and exceeds all state rules and regulations,”  John Shanahan, Tintina CEO, said in a statement.

Tintina first applied in late 2015 and went back and forth with DEQ to address deficiencies in its application…DEQ will issue a more complete document early next month, which will then trigger the statutorily mandated 12-months for environmental review.

The EIS is the state’s burden of analyzing potential environmental consequences of the project, whether the mine can company with state law or mitigations will be required under the permit.  DEQ is currently in the process of selecting the third party to conduct the EIS.