What has been called the last viable mining prospect on the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park was purchased for $6.25 million by a conservation group, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. The 1,598 acre tract was slated by a Montana gold mining company for extraction. The land is habitat for grizzlies and a migration route for elk and buffalo that overlooks the north entrance to America's first national park. Gold miners have been attracted to Crevice Mountain since the 1850s. The former owner had planned to dig 300 tons of ore a day, producing about half an ounce of gold per ton, which he considered high for most operations. Mining would have undoubtably disturbed bears and others crossing into the Park. [photo credit: W. Campbell]
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| mother bear leads cubs on Crevice Mt. |
Greater Yellowstone Coalition approached Michael Werner, dba Crevice Mining Group, LLC, to purchase the land since that was the only way to effectively end mining on the site. Werner told interviewers he would not have sold ten years ago, but he was getting older, and appreciated the "professional approach" of the Coalition's negotiator. An agreement to purchase was eventually reached in 2021 with the option expiring October 1, 2023. Fund raising went into overdrive. The group received 1,345 donations from 47 states and 7 foreign countries. The purchase was signed in September. Head of the Coalition Scott Christensen said, "everyone who loves Yellowstone owns this victory". It will be years before the land becomes public property, but until then animals have a permanent easement.
