Tunnels mine talks abandoned

A judge appointed in December to help mediate an agreement between Montana Tunnels Mining, its key creditors and potential buyers that might resolve the company’s long-running bankruptcy case has hoisted the white flag.

In a Mar. 17 letter to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana, Judge Whitman L. Holt wrote: “Some of the parties to the settlement process have indicated that they are not amendable to a further extension of the process.”

Holt continued: “Given this position and my view that a judicial settlement or mediation process should be strictly voluntary and dependent on the willingness of all parties to participate, I determined it would be appropriate for me to conclude the process here and end my role as Settlement Judge in this matter.”