Montana

State seeks new operator for bankrupt mine

Published

2 years ago

January 25, 2024

State seeks new operator for bankrupt mine

Montana environmental officials may cut ties with a bankrupt mine operator near Helena and seek out a new company to operate the site.

Colorado-based Black Diamond Holdings has continually failed to pay a required reclamation bond to Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). It’s owned the Montana Tunnels pit mine south of Helena for more than a decade with little mining success. Montana Tunnels had its permit suspended in 2018 and declared bankruptcy last year.

DEQ Director Chris Dorrington said in a statement, “when requirements are not met, we must take action.” The state is seeking a new operator to take over the site.

Bonnie Gestring, local program director for Earthworks, a DC-based environmental nonprofit, said this should be a wake-up call to state lawmakers.

“The big picture is that we need the legislature to strengthen the laws and regulations that require financial assurance from these mining companies,” Gestring said.

Under Montana law, mining companies must front a bond that covers the estimated cost of cleaning up a mining site.Theoretically, this prevents taxpayers getting stuck with a bill if a company goes under.

Montana Tunnels has paid a little over half of its $40 million reclamation bond. Any new permit holder would be required to pay the remaining balance. If none are found, the DEQ would have to undertake an extensive, and expensive, cleanup.

Mining companies, including Butte’s Montana Resources, have expressed interest in the Montana Tunnels project. But without activity since 2008, the mine has fallen into disrepair. Experts estimate it would take years of work and well over $100 million to get the pit running again.

Black Diamond Holdings did not immediately respond to MTPR’s request for comment.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Big Sky Bonus results for April 16, 2026

Published

3 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 16, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from April 16 drawing

08-16-24-30, Bonus: 13

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Montana

April 15 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

Published

15 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

April 15 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lotto America results for April 15, 2026

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 15, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from April 15 drawing

13-21-27-43-45, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 5

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from April 15 drawing

17-18-31-46-51, Star Ball: 02, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from April 15 drawing

02-07-11-21, Bonus: 07

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from April 15 drawing

02-13-18-38-42

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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