by Andy Roubik, President, Bitterroot River Protection Association
To USCM:
Addressing Specific Concerns Raised by the Community Environmental and Health Risk Claims – We are pleased to hear that you plan on following state and federal laws.
Independent Testing and Scientific Rigor – We understand that you don’t plan on doing any independent testing or sampling for specific minerals until after permitting and environmental review. But the sampling of your mineral deposit for specific minerals (especially asbestos) will surely be done before any permit is issued, won’t it? And as far as independent testing goes, could you clarify what independent means to you? Does it mean that the Forest Service will hire the contractor and you will simply pay for it? Or will you be hiring your own contractor and releasing only information you deem fit?
Commitment to Regulatory Standards and Public Input – We appreciate that you recognize our right to participate in the EA review process and you can count on us for that.
Economic and National Security Importance – We appreciate your recognition that the United States remains heavily reliant on foreign supply chains, especially from regions with elevated geopolitical risk. We also recognize that there are plenty of areas in the United States and in Montana that can produce gallium and other critical metals and REEs from already available tailings and active mines, and from other sources such as the toxic reservoir waste at the Berkeley Pit in Butte, the coal ash piles at Colstrip and the Anaconda Aluminum plant superfund site at Columbia Falls. As such we recognize that Montana can contribute to the production of the rare earth elements and gallium that are necessary for modern life, green energy and the national defense without turning the Bitterroot valley into a Sacrifice Zone.
A Call for Constructive Engagement – We too are committed to engaging respectfully, openly, and constructively with all stakeholders – from local residents and elected officials to conservation groups, and we would add mining companies – throughout the permitting and environmental review process and are looking forward to you sharing your own perspectives and data with us for a change.
About U.S. Critical Materials – You say that U.S. Critical Materials Corp. is a “domestic rare earths and critical minerals exploration and development company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah…”
We recognize that you are an out-of-state company with a valiant mission. But what you don’t say is anything about your Partner in the venture US Critical Metals or the third company you have created with unknown ownership that could end up owning the whole thing. It could even turn out to be China.