The Canadian company received approval last year to begin exploration work at 23 locations in Emigrant Gulch, a picturesque area of steep mountains and dense forest in southcentral Montana’s Paradise Valley. The results of the exploration work were intended to guide the company’s future plans to pursue a commercial-scale mine. Attorneys for Lucky Minerals had argued in court documents that its application was for a minor exploration project, not a large-scale mine. State officials were reviewing the decision, said Department of Environmental Quality spokeswoman Kristi Ponozzo said. An attorney for the groups behind the lawsuit — the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and Park County Environmental Council — said Gilbert’s ruling validates worries about mining.

Source: National Post May 25, 2018 18:56 UTC