Tunnels Mine reclamation bond under DEQ review

The current reclamation bond on the Montana Tunnels Mine near Jefferson City is not sufficient and needs to be nearly doubled, the state Department of Environmental Quality says.

Now set at $19,783,826, the bond should be $34,886,739 to cover reclamation costs, an increase of $15,102,913, says a notice from the DEQ.

The increase is “lagely due to changes in fuel price, site management, and indirect costs,” says the notice.