Zortman Mining Sues Over Cleanup Plan

A subsidiary of Pegasus Gold Corp. filed suit this week alleging the state acted illegally in adopting a new cleanup plan for the company’s Zortman and Landusky gold mines.

Zortman Mining Inc. filed the lawsuit Monday against the Montana Department of Environmental Quality in Helena District Court.

The lawsuit alleges the department violated state law and the state constitution when it adopted the new reclamation plan for the mines earlier this year.

Officials at the department said they had been assured the suit was intended only to preserve the company’s options, and would not be pressed immediately.

Art Compton, chief of the state Environmental Management Bureau, said Tuesday the state hasn’t been served with the lawsuit and likely won’t be. He said a hearing is scheduled for November to deal with the reclamation plan and Pegasus filed the suit so that any issues that aren’t dealt with could be heard later in court.

The department adopted a new cleanup plan in June after Pegasus announced it no longer planned to expand the mines.