Gold and the Blackfoot: The Columbia Project Debate
A new chapter in Montana’s storied mining history is unfolding as Australia-based Sentinel Metals moves forward with the Columbia Gold Project southeast of Lincoln. According to the Missoula Current, the proposal involves drilling 21 exploration boreholes—some reaching depths of 2,300 feet—to evaluate an estimated 920,000 ounces of gold. The company highlights Montana’s stable regulatory environment and existing infrastructure as key drivers for the project.
However, the site’s closeness to the headwaters of the Blackfoot River has brought environmental concern to many. Some say the project brings back memories of the 1975 Mike Horse Mine breach, an event that required a $100 million restoration effort to protect the river’s world-renowned trout fishery.
The discussion surrounding the Columbia Project kind of creates a tug-of-war between international investment and local conservation. While Sentinel Metals points to the economic viability of the 23.6 million tons of ore, groups like Montana Trout Unlimited emphasize the cultural and ecological value of a river made famous by A River Runs Through It.
Legal experts and writers also note the influence of the General Mining Act of 1872, which governs how profits and risks are distributed in modern mining ventures. As the Montana DEQ reviews the environmental assessment, the public has until April 13 to weigh in on whether this exploration aligns with the future of the Blackfoot watershed.
The Columbia Gold Project
- The Proponent: Sentinel Metals (via subsidiary Great Plains Mining LLC).
- The Resource: Exploration of a site containing an estimated 920,000 ounces of gold.
- The Geography: Private land near Lincoln, MT, bordering tributaries of the Blackfoot River.
- The Timeline: DEQ public comment period closes April 13. Emails can be sent to qmepa@mt.gov.