The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on a proposed sapphire mine on public land on the shore of Hauser Lake outside Helena.

Montana Sapphire Mining Co. is seeking the permit.

“The BLM is committed to ensuring responsible development of our nation’s resources in a way that supports economic resilience and environmental stewardship,” said Butte Field Manager Lindsey Babcock. “Public input is important to this process, and we look forward to the feedback.” Download PDF

If approved, the mining outfit would conduct placer mining and processing to recover sapphires from McCune Bar gravels with a project footprint of about 5.1 acres within the 8-acre planning boundary. The plan would cover five years of operations.

The BLM is accepting public comments on the plan of ope

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