1998 Montana Initiative 137

Referendum on mining January 2025 Montana Cyanide Process Open Pit Mining Prohibition Initiative (I-137) Concerns mining November 3, 1998 Montana, United States 169,991 155,034 300px County results Yes #7D9CBB 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #B6C8D9 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid No #8B8B54 70–80% 1px #AAAAAA solid #BCBC83 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #DEDEBD 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid Source: The Montana Cyanide Process Open Pit Mining Prohibition Initiative, also known as I-137, was a successful initiative on the November 3, 1998 ballot in Montana. It sought to prohibit "new open-pit gold and silver mines that used heap and vat cyanide leach processing". Text of measure The text of the measure was as follows: Cyanide leach mineral processing is the procedure used in mining operations that applies a cyanide-based solution over gold or silver ore to remove the precious metals from the waste rock, so the metals can be recovered. This measure would prohibit new open-pit gold and silver mines in Montana that use heap and vat cyanide leach processing. Any open-pit mines currently operating and permitted to use cyanide leach processing could continue to do so, but this measure would prohibit any expansion of these mines. If approved, this measure would be effective immediately. If approved, Montana would potentially lose taxes and royalties from new or expanded mining development. There would also be a potential reduction in the number of new mining jobs in Montana. However, the potential for state environmental liabilities may be reduced if cyanide leach mineral processing is eliminated.Montana Cyanide Process Open Pit Mining Prohibition, I-137 (1998) https://ballotpedia.org/Montana_Cyanide_Process_Open_Pit_Mining_Prohibition,_I-137_(1998) Ballotpedia 27 May 2024 en Support The Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) was one of several non-profits who supported the measure, stating that it "was a response to the abysmal track record of open pit cyanide leach mining in Montana and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality's failure to adequately regulate such mines as required by state law."Protecting Air & Water - Montana Environmental Information Center - MEIC https://meic.org/our-work/protecting-air-water/ meic.org 27 May 2024 Results The measure passed with 52.3% in support, making Montana the first state to prohibit such a mining practice.MONTANA MAY BE DRAWING THE LINE ON MINES https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/11/22/montana-may-be-drawing-the-line-on-mines/f27a0993-5aeb-4b35-98a8-beabb0723b7c/ Washington Post Washington Post 28 May 2024 27 February 2024 In 2005, the Montana Supreme Court unanimously upheld the initiative.High court upholds cyanide ban https://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=3270 www.minesandcommunities.org 27 May 2024 The Montana State Legislature passed a bill in 2011 to amend the law, but it was vetoed by Governor Brian Schweitzer using a branding iron.Montopoli Brian Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer wields "VETO" branding iron - CBS News https://www.cbsnews.com/news/montana-gov-brian-schweitzer-wields-veto-branding-iron/ www.cbsnews.com 27 May 2024 15 April 2011 References External links PSA in support of the measure See also Gold cyanidation ban Category:Montana ballot measures Category:1998 Montana elections Category:Initiatives in the United States Category:1998 ballot measures in the United States Category:Mining law and governance in the United States