Montana
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.
Montana
Half a million absentee ballots sent to Montana voters for primary election • Daily Montanan
Ballots for Montana’s June 2 primary began to hit voters’ mailboxes this weekend.
According to the Secretary of State’s website, 509,399 absentee ballots were mailed to voters. As of Monday morning, 358 voters had already returned their ballots.
“Montana’s 2026 Primary Election is well underway, and the Montana Election Team is honored to serve our voters,” Secretary of state Christi Jacobsen said in a press release. “As a reminder, Montanans can view their sample ballot, track their absentee ballot, confirm their voter registration information, and much more at VoteMT.gov.”
Voted ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, June 2nd.
The Montana Election Team reminds absentee voters to sign, date, and add their birth year when returning their absentee ballot. County election officials provide instructions in the ballot packet, and more information is also available online at https://votemt.gov/absentee-ballot/.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from May 10 drawing
06-22-28-31, Bonus: 08
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life 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.
The Socorro Independent School District honored and celebrated its top two educators at the 2026 Teacher of the Year Gala on Friday, May 8 at the El Paso Convention Center.
Cristina Garcia, a fifth-grade teacher at Mission Ridge Elementary School, was recognized as the 2026 SISD Elementary Teacher of the Year. Javier Esparza, an audio and video broadcast teacher at Socorro High School, was named the 2026 SISD Secondary Teacher of the Year.
https://www.ktsm.com/news/socorro-isd-honors-top-2-teachers-at-gala-celebration/
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