Hardrock Mining

Millions of dollars to help around 600 out-of-work miners find jobs is headed to Montana, just weeks after the layoffs took effect at the country’s largest producer of platinum and palladium.

A working group the Biden Administration tasked with finding ways to update 151-year-old laws for mining hardrock minerals like copper and nickel issued a set of proposed reforms ranging from first-time fees to improved public outreach.

Mining supporters officially launched their campaign today in Butte to fight a proposed ballot initiative that would add regulations for all new and…