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Court further unanimously declares loophole in law favoring mining industry is unconstitutional

A giant gold mining project proposal near Yellowstone National Park is officially dead, and Montanans’ right to stop such unlawful projects is upheld, with far-reaching impacts.

Court further unanimously declares loophole in law favoring mining industry is unconstitutional

Park County Environmental Council and Greater Yellowstone Coalition filed their Motion for Vacatur of Exploration License and Brief in support on June 1, 2018. The Motion for Vacatur is granted. The Exploration License that is subject of this case by DEQ to Lucky Minerals, Inc. is void and of no further force and effect.

Lucky Minerals’ exploration license ruled invalid, taking plans for exploratory drilling “off the table”

This case involves the Plaintiff’s challenge of the decision made by Defendant Department of Environmental Quality to grant Defendant Lucky Minerals, Inc. an exploration license in the Emigrant gulch area of the Absaroka Mountains. 

Montana Department of Environmental Quality must complete more extensive environmental review of Lucky Minerals’ drilling plan

Groups opposed to industrial gold mining north of Yellowstone National Park filed a lawsuit on September 22, 2017, challenging the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s approval of extensive mineral exploration in Emigrant Gulch near Park County’s Paradise Valley. The exploration is proposed by Lucky Minerals, a Canadian company whose intention is to develop “a multi-million…

This case challenges state approval for a plan by Canadian-based Lucky Minerals (“Lucky”) to explore for gold and other minerals in Emigrant Gulch above Montana’s iconic Paradise Valley, approximately 30 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. Lucky’s project aims to pave the way for a large-scale gold mine in this sensitive and scenic area. More than 300 Park County, Montana businesses and thousands of individuals have objected to the project on grounds that it would industrialize a remote area that is home to grizzly bears, wolverines, and other wildlife, and would threaten to dismantle Park County’s tourism economy that depends on clean water and pristine views. However, on July 26, 2017, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) determined that the exploratory drilling—which would occur 24 hours each day between July 15 and October 15 for two consecutive years—would not cause any significant environmental impacts and approved the project.

State agency broke the law by approving exploration project without scrutinizing its harm to the environment, Park County

Las minas de la entrada de Yellowstone podrían disminuir áreas de hábitat y amenaza la comunidad local al afectar la economía de la región.

Mining proposals on the doorstep of Yellowstone National Park threaten the environment and the local economy.

The proposal places slated gold exploration on public lands on time-out