by David and Linda Butler, Conner
Fellow Bitterrooters, did you read the December 15 article about locals organizing against the mine in the headwaters of the Bitterroot River? We are among those locals and have joined the Bitterroot Clean Water Alliance (BCWA) whose sole purpose is to fight this mine and prevent the inevitable environmental degradation and possible destruction of the Bitterroot watershed.
The federal government might fast-track this mine citing questionable national security concerns and green energy needs. Yes, the rare earth elements (REE) that would be extracted are important for modern technology, and it is also true that China dominates global production. But the elements aren’t rare, just risky and environmentally damaging to extract. China’s lead isn’t due to their reserves but their disregard for the resulting human health problems and environmental damage.
The BCWA is not against mining, but we are against this kind of mining in this place. There are better places to mine for these materials. In fact, there are environmentally beneficial ways to extract these materials. For instance, toxic mine wastes within the Clark Fork Superfund site around Butte contain vast quantities of rare earth elements. There is already an exploratory project to extract them from the Berkely Pit in Butte. We should look to all our decommissioned and abandoned mines as potential sources of REE. The value derived from extracting the REE from these sites could help pay for long-delayed clean-up efforts.
Moreover, the market is adapting. As noted in the December 15 article, companies like BMW and Renault have shifted to REE-free electric vehicles, and Tesla plans to. Tech giants are also turning to recycled REEs. This shift indicates a broader recognition of supply chain vulnerability and environmental problems. No matter your opinion on the need for green energy, it should be clear that significant environmental problems should be avoided.
In the 2024 elections, we will choose a U.S. Senator and a Congressperson. While we usually weigh multiple issues, the proposed mine is an existential issue for the Bitterroot. We urge you to contact Senator Jon Tester, Congressperson Ryan Zinke, and their likely major party opponents – Tim Sheehy and Monica Tranel, respectively – and Libertarians Sid Daoud (Senate candidate) and John Lamb (House candidate). We are reaching out to all of them and drawing a line in the sand. To qualify for our vote, they must first come out publicly against this mine and promise to use their power and influence to prevent it. We should all reject empty assurances about the mine’s safety and demand concrete opposition. Ask each candidate to fight the mine and let them know they will be held accountable. Any candidate not taking these public steps against the mine is not worthy of our votes.