Gold Mine Operators Eye Site Miles From Closing Mine

Mine operators east of Butte are looking to open a new gold mine just miles from the existing open put gold mine that is set to close.

The Montana Standard reports that the mine is putting a permit for a new gold mine less than a mile from the existing one, which is northeast of Whitehall.

Golden Sunlight manager Dan Banghart says the new mine would be an expansion of the old mine and would use the same mill to process the ore. The new mine is awaiting permitting by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

At the original mine, 135 employees are facing unemployment starting Tuesday.

If approved, the new mine would not open until 2019.