Misplaced Pages

1998 Montana Initiative 137

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Referendum on mining
Montana Cyanide Process Open Pit Mining Prohibition Initiative (I-137)
November 3, 1998

Concerns mining
Results
Choice Votes %
Yes 169,991 52.30%
No 155,034 47.70%
Source:
Elections in Montana
Federal government
Presidential elections
Presidential primaries
Democratic
2000
2004
2008
2016
2020
2024
Republican
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
U.S. Senate elections
U.S. House of Representatives elections
State government
General elections
Gubernatorial elections
Secretary of State elections
Attorney General elections
State Auditor elections
Senate elections
House of Representatives elections
Ballot measures
1894
Capital referendum
2004
Initiative 96
2012
Referendum 121
2016
Initiative 182
2020
Initiative 190
2022
Referendum 131
2024
Initiative 128
Billings
Mayoral elections
Missoula
Mayoral elections
Great Falls
Mayoral elections
Bozeman
Mayoral elections
Helena
Mayoral elections

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.

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."

Results

The measure passed with 52.3% in support, making Montana the first state to prohibit such a mining practice.

In 2005, the Montana Supreme Court unanimously upheld the initiative.

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.

References

  1. ^ "Montana Cyanide Process Open Pit Mining Prohibition, I-137 (1998)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  2. "Protecting Air & Water - Montana Environmental Information Center - MEIC". meic.org. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  3. "MONTANA MAY BE DRAWING THE LINE ON MINES". Washington Post. Washington Post. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  4. "High court upholds cyanide ban". www.minesandcommunities.org. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  5. Montopoli, Brian (15 April 2011). "Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer wields "VETO" branding iron - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 27 May 2024.

External links

PSA in support of the measure

See also

Categories: