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Copper Mine Project Draws Hundreds of Comments

Test wells would be dug near White Sulphur Springs

By Molly Priddy

BOZEMAN — A proposal to dig test wells at the site of a planned copper mine near White Sulphur Springs has drawn about 940 public comments.

A Tintina Resources subsidiary plans to apply for an operations permit for the Black Butte mining project, but first is asking state regulators permission to drill four wells to test how pumping water for the mining operation will affect the groundwater table.

The Department of Environmental Quality will review the comments. DEQ spokesman Chris Saeger tells the Bozeman Daily Chronicle officials plan to make a decision within three weeks because the company wants to complete the wells before winter.

Tintina vice president Jerry Zieg says he worked closely with DEQ officials on the plan and it would be remarkable if they turned it down.