Thank You for Supporting the Libby Exploration Project

The final Environmental Assessment (EA) and signed Decision Notice is now publicly available on the Kootenai National Forest website.

Hecla Mining Company is committed to the pursuit of unlocking the value at Montanore, now called the Libby Exploration Project. However, first we must conduct underground exploration and evaluation activities to collect data that will inform project engineering requirements, environmental requirements, and overall project feasibility.

Per federal regulations, Montanore Minerals Corporation (MMC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hecla Mining Company, submitted a Plan of Operations for the Libby Exploration Project to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The Forest Service accepted public comments as part of the Forest Service’s EA under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

NEXT STEPS:

Draft decision and final EA released—June 21
45 Day Objection Period—June 23-August 7
30 Day Objection Response Period—August 7-September 6
Final Decision Notice—October 3
Final Plan of Operations Approval and preparation to commence work

VIEW BACKGROUND INFO

Location

The Libby Exploration Project is located approximately 20 aerial miles south of the town of Libby in Lincoln County, Montana near the Cabinet Mountains of northwestern Montana.

About the Libby Exploration Project

PLAN OF OPERATION
Hecla submitted a Plan of Operation to the U.S. Forest Service that would allow Hecla Montana to conduct underground exploration and evaluation to collect data that will shape and guide potential activities and operations. The final Environmental Assessment (EA) and signed Decision Notice is now publicly available on the Kootenai National Forest website.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The Forest Service has reviewed public comments on the Environmental Assessment. The Forest Service has reviewed public comments on the Environmental Assessment. The new plan has been authorized, and exploration and data collection can now proceed.
EVALUATION
Once evaluation activities are complete, Hecla will utilize the data collected to create a modern mine plan that will allow for responsible production of critical and essential minerals from the area.
PERMITTING PROCESS
If this new plan is economically feasible, a new Plan of Operations will be submitted triggering a new and separate permitting process.

More Information

In September 2016, Hecla, the largest U.S. silver producer, acquired the Montanore project with the acquisition of Mines Management Inc. After careful consideration, the existing plans of operation, inherited from prior owners, were withdrawn at Montanore. A new Plan of Operations was submitted for standalone evaluation activities at Montanore (Libby Exploration Project).

Thank You for Supporting the Libby Exploration Project

The final Environmental Assessment (EA) and signed Decision Notice is now publicly available on the Kootenai National Forest website.

Location

About the Libby Exploration Project

More Information

Thank you for supporting the Libby Exploration Project!