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Environmental Group Loses Lawsuit Over Mine Expansion Plan

Group wants to halt the Golden Sunlight Mine near Whitehall

By Justin Franz

HELENA — A state judge has ruled against an environmental group in a lawsuit over a permit governing the expansion of the Golden Sunlight Mine near Whitehall.

The Montana Environmental Information Center sued in April, complaining that the permit did not require Barrick Gold Corp. to backfill the area after the mining ends. The suit argues the state constitution guarantees a “clean and healthful environment” and requires lands disturbed by mining to be reclaimed.

District Judge Loren Tucker agreed Monday with the state Department of Environmental Quality that a plan to require ongoing water pumping and testing to prevent groundwater contamination is favorable to filling in the pit, which would make it much more difficult to monitor groundwater quality.

MEIC Executive Director Jim Jensen tells the Independent Record that an appeal to the Montana Supreme Court is “certain.”