MISSOULA, Mont. — The Bureau of Land Management has approved a five-year plan for sapphire mining in Lewis and Clark County.
The McCune Bar sapphire mine will cover 6.1 acres about a quarter-mile inland from the northeast shore of Hauser Lake. The Montana Sapphire Mining Company is authorized to extract sapphires from gravel deposits in the area, which has been historically mined.
The project includes 2.5 acres of mining activity and 3.6 acres of access road disturbance. Officials say the land must be returned to its original state once operations are complete.
“This project is a great example of how we can support responsible mining while also protecting the public lands that are important to so many people in this area,” Butte Field Manager Lindsey Babcock said in a press release.
An environmental assessment from the Butte Field Office found no significant impacts to natural resources from the work. During a 30-day public comment period, the agency received feedback from the public, and the final decision will be shared with those who provided input.
According to the BLM, the project aligns with Executive Order 14241, which aims to increase American mineral production. Officials say the mine will create jobs while boosting domestic mineral supplies.