07:32 AM EST, 01/03/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Sandfire Resources America ( SRAFF ) overnight Thursday said the Montana Supreme Court has upheld a 2023 District Court decision regarding a water use permit for the Black Butte Copper Project, ending years of litigation by environmental groups.

The court upheld the Montana Department of Natural Resources (DNRC) decision in a 5 to 2 ruling. The DNRC had determined that the water removed from the mine and discharged back to the aquifer was neither a beneficial use nor a waste, and therefore did not require a permit under the Montana Water Use Act

"Black Butte Copper now has all permits to proceed with the Feasibility work for this project. We remain diligently focused on reaching an investment decision to build the mine of which all Montanans, and the North American mining community can be proud," said Lincoln Greenidge, CEO of Sandfire America.