U.S. Senator Steve Daines wrote in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle on Mar. 6 about recent federal actions affecting Montana’s mining sector, highlighting steps taken by the Trump administration to support local mines and jobs.
The op-ed addresses the significance of mining for Montana’s economy and workforce, as well as national security concerns tied to critical minerals. Daines said that hard rock mining in Montana provides over 18,000 jobs and contributes nearly $430 million to the state’s economy, while coal mines employ almost 1,000 people with a combined payroll of $100 million.
Daines criticized the Biden administration for what he described as policies hostile to Montana miners. He said, “For four years, however, Joe Biden’s administration waged a relentless war on Montana’s miners, threatening their livelihood and with it, the fabric of their communities.” He added that regulations from agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and Environmental Protection Agency negatively impacted coal operations such as Bull Mountains Mine.
The senator credited former President Donald Trump for supporting Montana mining interests. “In July, I stood next to President Trump as he signed my bill to keep the Bull Mountains Mine open. Together we saved nearly 400 coal mining jobs and preserved the local economy while we were at it,” Daines said.
Daines also discussed challenges faced by Stillwater Mine due to Russian palladium exports during Biden’s presidency. He said that Russia flooded global markets with palladium in 2022, leading to layoffs at Stillwater Mine. “Not so with President Trump. I worked with the administration to find a way to protect our miners and just a few weeks ago, the administration slapped Russia with a 133% anti-dumping duty,” Daines said.
According to the official website, Daines grew up in Bozeman, Montana, attending public schools there as a fifth-generation Montanan. The site also notes his engagement in public service through constituent assistance and Senate committee work according to the official website. Daines earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Montana State University according to the official website.
Daines provides constituent services such as assistance with federal agencies and veterans resources according to the official website. He has received awards from the Congressional Management Foundation for transparency and staff support according to the official website, and is affiliated with the U.S. Senate representing Montana according to the official website.
Looking ahead, Daines concluded his op-ed by reaffirming his commitment: “I will always fight to protect Montana’s mining industry and keep our state the Last Best Place.”
