Montana Mining Company Settles on Dust Violation

A mining company has reached a settlement with the state over air quality standards at a mine north of Butte.

In a document released Friday by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, the state reported that on April 29, 2013, a DEQ staff member noticed dust blowing from the Yankee Doodle tailings area.

Montana Resources Senior Vice President of Operations Steve Walsh says the dust was kicked up by wind.

The Montana Standard reports that blowing tailings were reported seven times in 2013, though only the April 29 event exceeded air quality standards.

As part of the settlement, DEQ has required Montana Resources to implement measures to protect the air quality of the mine.