2009 Montana Mining - Montana Mining Association

Montana Tech and
Montana’s mining industry
Past, Present and Future
With the signing of the 1889 Enabling
Act, Montana was admitted into the
Union. At that time acknowledging the West
held vast mineral potential, Section 17 of
the Act set aside 100,000 acres of public
land to establish and maintain a state
school of mines.
The relationship between Montana Tech
and the mining industry in Montana began in
1893 when the Montana Legislature voted to
establish the school. The following years saw
the school built on donated Lode properties
overlooking the city of Butte. The doors
opened on September 11, 1900. The first
graduate of the then-called ‘Montana State
School of Mine’ was Louis V. Bender in 1903.
He eventually became the general superintendent
of the Anaconda Reduction Works.
The early years saw students taking excursions
to operating mines to further enhance
their studies. Trips included travel to mining
operations in and around Butte, Helena, Gilt
Edge and Kendal. By 1909, students were
finding employment in various mines during
their vacations. In the ensuing years, stu-
14 Montana Mining 2009
dents found shift work at mines owned by
the Anaconda Company or the Butte and
Superior Company.
In 1919, legislation was enacted to create
the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology,
which was to be located at Montana Tech. The
first director of the Bureau was also the pres-
ident of the school. The objects and duties of
the Bureau have always pertained to the mineral
industry; today, the Montana Bureau of
Mines and Geology continues to collect and
distribute information on Montana’s water
and mineral resources. The Bureau’s mineral
property files, geologic maps, earthquake
studies, geographic information systems (GIS),
and Groundwater Information Center assist
historians, mineral developers and state and
federal agencies as well as Montana’s citizens.
In 1967, the Montana Tech Foundation was
established to further the management of
the college’s research activities and promote
the development of the college as an
academic institution. In 1983, the Foun -
dation’s mission became focused on procuring
private and corporate support for academic
programs, faculty and students. Last
year the Foundation provided over $2 million
in support to the college, and reached its $2M
private support commitment as part of
Montana Tech’s comprehensive campaign,