Radersburg, County Residents Comment on Antimony Concentrating Facility
Author: mt43news reporter
Article Published: 07/24/2026 Volume: 5 Edition: 03MT43 News Staff Reporter
US Antimony Corporation announced two weeks ago that it would begin processing hauled-in ore from its Thompson Falls facility at its Radersburg location. Governor Greg Gianforte and USAC officials gathered near the Radersburg Cemetery for a “rock breaking” of the upgraded facility. The story ran in the July 17 edition of MT43News.
In an email statement July 20 from USAC’s Antimony Division Vice President Aaron Tenesch, he explained the company would bring in one truck a day from Thompson Falls, probably fewer; and the current plant could process up to 150 tons per day but may process less due to the high grade of current antimony feedstocks. As for tailings left over from processing, he explained the facility would store them in a double-lined storage unit with a leak detection system as it has for many years.
Information about the ceremony came through the grapevine for Broadwater County Commissioners and the public at large. Commission Chairperson Debi Randolph said they knew the facility had been sold in January of this year. “We knew nothing about the rock breaking, but, after the fact, when we connected with one of the officials, they agreed to meet with us in August. We are still gathering information to see what their needs will be from us,” she said.
The ball mill was built in the l980’s by longtime Crow Creek Valley residents Bill Lavender and Dennis Miller. In an interview, Miller said they began processing gold from their holdings in the Ohio Keating mine, which is nearby. After running the bulk ore through the mill, they assayed the results to remove gold, which was poured into 40oz bars. ASARCO Smelter at East Helena then took the tailings for further smelting. Miller and Lavender operated the plant 4 or 5 years, he remembered, but then they sold out. Several other mining companies and individuals have owned the facility, including Pegasus Mining Company.
Radersburg and Crow Creek Valley are big cattle ranching areas, but its roots go back to mining and ore processing, especially when the Toston Smelter operated in the 1880’s. Gold and silver mines have continued to operate in the area until recently. So what do the locals think about new folks coming into the area to process ore?
Longtime rancher and now retired Jackie Smith lives in Radersburg proper. She thinks the newly opened plant will be fine. “I don’t think the operation will impact Radersburg negatively at all. Honestly, I see it as a good thing. They will be hiring trained, educated people. Since the trucks won’t come through town, we won’t notice any more traffic than we already have. There are houses and lots for sale in town, which the new people might be interested in buying.”
Smith said she attended part of the ceremony and visited with officials. They had asked the Cemetery Association if the company could attach their sign to the cemetery sign on Highway 285. “They’ve offered to bring in gravel for the road to the cemetery, which is across from the plant. It seems like they’ll work with us,” she concluded.
Not everyone is happy with the new business in town, however. Twenty-year Crow Creek Valley rancher Bobbie Hicks owns much of the ground around the processing plant. She, her son and her grandson live not far from the facility. She was emphatic when she said, “We don’t want them here.”
According to her, some of USAC personnel came to her door wanting to buy some acreage around the facility. Not for sale, she said. They came back asking to buy 20 acres next to the plant. When she said no a second time, she said, “They threatened me. They said, ‘That’s your second chance.’
