Sandfire Resources America Inc. Announces Win at the Montana Supreme Court Regarding Water Rights Ruling

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White Sulfur Springs, Montreal, January 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sandfire Resources America Inc. (“Sandfire America” or the “Company”) announces a favorable ruling in favor of the Company by the Montana Supreme Court upholding the district court’s 2023 decision on water rights related to Black Butte Copper’s Tintina Montana Inc. mine operating permit. project.

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The original lawsuit was filed jointly against the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (“MT DNRC”) and Tintina Montana Inc. (“Tintina, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sandfire America) in August 2022. As background, Tintina submitted its application for a Beneficial Groundwater Permit with the MT DNRC in September 2018. In March 2020, the MT DNRC determined that Tintina had satisfactorily met all legal criteria The issuance of the permit was upheld by the MT DNRC Hearing Examiner when five submitted environmental organizations objected. Objections to Permit The objectors appealed the decision to the Montana District Court, and on April 12, 2023, District Judge Hayworth ruled that the DNRC and the hearing examiner correctly determined that mine dewatering was not a beneficial use of water and denied the objectors’ petition for judicial review.

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The objectors appealed the district court’s decision to the Montana Supreme Court in May 2023. Additional interveners in the lawsuit supporting the MT DNRC and Tintina include the MT Ranchers Association, the MT Farm Bureau Federation, the Gallatin Agricultural Irrigation Association, the MT Chamber of Commerce and the League of Cities and Towns In MT, and the MT Water Resources Association. On January 2, 2025, the Montana Supreme Court, by a vote of 5 to 2, affirmed the district court’s decision that mine dewatering is not a beneficial use of water.

“We are grateful for this common-sense decision that preserves Montana’s long-standing water law,” said Vice President of Communications Nancy Schlepp. “We appreciate the court’s diligent review of this case.” Following the Supreme Court’s February ruling reinstating our entire permit, the entire Sandfire America team has remained focused on Implementing a world-class, environmentally safe mining project, and today’s decision keeps us on that path.

“Black Butte Copper now has all permits to continue feasibility work for this project,” shared Lincoln Greenidge, CEO of Sandfire America. “We remain diligently focused on reaching an investment decision to build a mine that all Montanans and America’s mining community can be proud of.” North.

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Contact information:
Sandfire Resources America Inc.
Nancy Schlepp, Vice President of Communications and Government Relations
Mobile: 406-224-8180
Office: 406-547-3466
Email: nschlepp@sandfireamerica.com

Jerry Zieg, the Company’s Vice President of Exploration, is a qualified person for purposes of NI 43-101 and has also reviewed and approved the information of a scientific or technical nature contained in this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain disclosures in this document constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the Company’s mine operating permit, the Company’s water rights, permitting timelines, and the Company’s plans to advance the Black Project Butte Copper and expected results. In making these forward-looking statements, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including that the Company will receive required regulatory approvals, that the Company will continue to have access to sufficient financing to implement its plans, and that the results of exploration and development activities are consistent with management’s expectations. However, the forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors, including factors related to the Company’s operation as a mineral exploration and development company and the Black Butte Copper Project, which could cause future results to differ materially. of those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including that the results of exploration and development activities will not be consistent with management’s expectations, delays in obtaining or inability to obtain required governmental or other regulatory approvals or financing, plant failure or equipment or processes to perform as expected, and the risks of accidents, labor disputes, severe or hazardous weather conditions, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, ground control problems, earthquakes, floods and all other risks generally associated with the development of mining facilities. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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