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Montana

FDI Industry Spotlight
Energy & Extractives

Abundant natural resources translate into low energy costs in Montana, with much of our energy coming from renewable sources. The geography of Montana, with the Continental Divide along its mountainous west and the Missouri River flowing eastward across the state, offers substantial hydroelectric energy resources. In fact, Montana is the 7th-largest producer of hydroelectric power in the nation. Also, Montana has more than 50 geothermal areas, 6 large solar power farms and millions of acres of forested and agricultural land with potential for biomass resources. Its vast plains provide some of the largest utility-scale wind power potential in the nation.

Montana is also home to the nation’s largest estimated recoverable coal reserves, accounting for nearly one-third of the U.S. total, and the only palladium mine in the U.S., delivering metals used in auto pollution-control devices and electronics. Hard rock mining of copper, gold, talc, cement, silver, platinum and more contributes $2.7 billion annually to Montana’s economy.

Energy & Extractives

Case Study: Sibanye-Stillwater

HOME COUNTRY South Africa
MONTANA HEADQUARTERS
Columbus FOUNDED 1986

The Sibanye-Stillwater U.S. PGM operations extract and process PGM ore from the U-M Reef in south central Montana, the only known significant source of PGMs in the U.S. and the highest grade PGM deposit in the world. The company produces primarily palladium and platinum at the Stillwater Mine near Nye and at the East Boulder Mine near Big Timber. The metals produced at these mines are processed in Columbus, Montana, in conjunction with recycled auto catalyst metals to make the company a global leader in PGM recycling. Sibanye-Stillwater has the greatest privilege of operating in the beauty of rural Montana and is passionate about preserving and enhancing rural vitality. Sibanye-Stillwater’s modern mining practices and operation under Montana’s Hard Rock Impact Act will create sustainable production of critical minerals for generations to come. Sibanye-Stillwater’s operations contribute over $3 billion to Montana’s economy every year, with much of that remaining in local counties.

“Our CARES values – commitment, accountability, respect, enabling, safety – are at the core of our approach to sustainability. These values support safer operations, enable growth, underpin business strategy and promote competitiveness and success. Our values are embedded in the work we do and are well aligned with what we find in Montana.”
-Heather McDowell, VP Legal, Environmental and Governmental Affairs, U.S. PGM Operations

Discover What Many Others Already Have About Montana

• Top five state for shortest average commute time

• No sales tax, creating one of the best business tax climates in the nation

• Top state to start a small business

• Highly trained, loyal workforce keeps recruitment costs low

• Consistently ranked one of the best states to live in

Facts at a Glance

7th largest hydroelectric power producing state

20+ utility scale hydroelectric dams

500+ turbines producing 900 megawatts of wind-powered electricity

Top 10 state with largest share of electricity generated from renewables, about 50%

6 large solar power farms with a combined generating capacity of 17 megawatts

4 operating oil refineries with a combined crude oil processing capacity of 220,000 barrels per day

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