Sandfire Resources America Inc. & The Meagher County Stewardship Council Achieves Framework for a Community Benefits Agreement
Author: Nancy Schlepp, VP of Communications and Government Relations
Sandfire Resources America Inc. & The Meagher County Stewardship Council Achieves Framework for a Community Benefits Agreement Nancy Schlepp VP of Communications and Government Relations WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, MT, March 17th, 2026 - Sandfire Resources America Inc. (“Sandfire America” or the “Company”) and the Meagher County Stewardship Council (“MCSC”) have advanced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a framework for a binding Community Benefits Agreement (“CBA”) associated with the proposed Black Butte Copper Project (“BBC”). Since 2019, Sandfire America and the MCSC have worked collaboratively to develop a CBA to ensure that the Meagher County community realizes long-lasting benefits from the operation of the proposed underground copper mine. Through the CBA, this partnership formalizes the Company’s commitment to Meagher County while establishing a framework for ongoing engagement between the Company and the community.
This MOU is guided by three core objectives:
● Ensuring that the mine operation delivers significant and long-term socioeconomic benefits within Meagher County;
● Protect and enhance the natural environment of the region; and
● Promote transparency and ongoing communication between the Company and the community.
Andrea Massey-Farrell, Board Chair of the Meagher County Stewardship Council, shared, “This CBA framework reflects the priorities voiced by our community and a shared commitment to long-term viability. It ensures the benefits of developing the mine are shared with the great people of Meagher County.”
Lincoln Greenidge, CEO of Sandfire America, continued by sharing, “This agreement reflects years of collaboration with the Meagher County community in creating multiple levels of benefits. Our collaboration represents a meaningful step forward for both the Black Butte Copper Project and the Meagher County community, illustrating what is possible when responsible resource development and community priorities advance together.”
Community priorities were identified through extensive public engagement. To guide this process, substantial outreach with local residents was conducted through focus groups, committee meetings, and a community-wide town hall event.
These priorities include:
● Establishing a Long-Term Community Investment Fund, supported through annual contributions based on a contribution model associated with the project’s operations, intended to support initiatives strengthening Meagher County well beyond the operational life of the mine;
● Supporting educational programs and youth initiatives that expand opportunities for local students;
● Establishing an Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund dedicated to Meagher County to support new and existing small businesses and encourage economic diversification; and
● Environmental Stewardship and Transparency through: o Initiatives that enhance the resilience of the Meagher County environment and the Smith River watershed near the project area;
o Weed management around the mine site and nearby waterways while supporting broader regional weed control efforts consistent with best practices and existing landowner agreements; and
o Working with an independent water/environmental consultant to provide additional transparency and technical review of environmental monitoring information.
“Signing the MOU represents a landmark voluntary partnership demonstrating how responsible underground mining can work in concert with local communities to support economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, and long-term community vitality,” said Nancy Schlepp, VP of Communications and Government Relations for Sandfire America. “Our Company motto is ‘Doing it right from the beginning,’ and what better way to encompass this mission than taking care of our community that directly supports Black Butte Copper.”
A binding decision to proceed with the framework described above remains subject to final approval of the CBA by the governing authorities of both Sandfire America and the MCSC. The entire document can be found on the MCSC website at https://meaghercountystewardshipcouncil.org/
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