New Gold Exploration Revives Old Fears for Montana’s Blackfoot River

More than half a century after one of Montana’s most destructive mining disasters poisoned the upper Blackfoot River, a new gold exploration project near the river’s headwaters is sparking concerns about whether its decades of environmental recovery could be at risk.

First covered Jul 4, 2026 · 2:00 AM PT · 1 article

Coverage

2d Inside Climate News New Gold Exploration Revives Old Fears for Montana’s Blackfoot River — More than half a century after one of Montana’s most destructive mining disasters poisoned the upper Blackfoot River, a new gold exploration project near the…

Primary sources

clarkfork.org 2026.4.13 Comments Of Conservation Organizations On Great Plains Mining Permit Amendment For License 00816 (clarkfork.org)

deq.mt.gov Hard Rock Exploration License | Amendment for Sentinel Metals (dba Great Plains Mining LLC) – Columbia Gold – LICENSE NO. 00816 |Final EA and Approval to Proceed | Montana DEQ

dojmt.gov Upper Blackfoot Mining Complex – Mike Horse

More coverage from around the web

kpax.com A look at the Columbia Gold Project, proposed exploration drilling in the Blackfoot Valley

centralmontanaprospectorscoalition.com Central Montana Prospectors Coalition - Blackfoot River

fieldandstream.com Montana's Blackfoot River Threatened by Proposed Gold Mine and AI Data Center

missoulacurrent.com Australian mining company touts Blackfoot gold mine as “flagship”

montanaoutdoor.com Gold Rush or River Rush? The Battle for Montana’s Blackfoot River

Appeared in: 2026-07-06 (#16)

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