Coal, Copper, and Vermiculite: History and Future of Mining in Montana and the West

Dale Martin will provide an overview of mining in Montana in the Northern Rockies and Plains on February 14^th from Noon until 1:30 at the Bozeman Public Library. The presentation is part of the free Friday Forum series offered by MSU Wonderlust, in partnership with the Bozeman Library Foundation.

The talk will cover the history of miners and their sense of identity and pride in their work; mining communities and the boom-and-bust impact of mining on their economies; contemporary issues and controversies. Martin will also discuss examples of three mining projects in Montana past, present, and future:

• the Libby mine with its asbestos-laced deposits of vermiculite,
• the electric power generating coal mines at Colstrip,
• and the proposed Black Butte copper mine on a Smith River tributary.

Martin is an adjunct professor of history at MSU and longtime MSU Wonderlust presenter on the history of Montana, the First World War, 20^th century Middle East, and technology. He is also a mining and railroad historian of Montana and the West.

MSU Wonderlust Friday Forum offers timely presentations and lively discussion, arranged by and for members of the community. The Forum is offered on the 2^nd Friday of each month from Noon-1:30pm, September-May, in the Bozeman Public Library large community room and is free and open to the public. This Friday Forum is a program of MSU Wonderlust, a lifelong learning program affiliated with MSU Academic Technology and Outreach. For more information call 994-6550.