The United States International Trade Commission is beginning investigations of palladium imports from Russia after a petition filed by the Sibanye-Stillwater mining company advocating for tariffs on the country’s imports of the metal.

The South Africa-headquartered company stated that unfairly priced imports are hurting their industry in Montana. Last September, the company announced layoffs of 700 Montana mining workers . Those layoffs followed terminations in 2023, when Stillwater discharged 100 employees . The company has roughly 900 employees and contractors in Montana currently.

Stillwater Mining Company said the drastic layoffs came as a result of a drop in palladium prices caused by Russian imports. After reaching highs up to $3,000 per ounce in 2021, prices have declined

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