BUTTE, Mont. (AP) — A western Montana mining project has begun treating the site's toxic water to remove copper.
The Montana Standard reported Tuesday that the water treatment by the Montana Resources mining company is the first step in Butte's Berkeley Pit project.
Montana Resources officials say about 4 million gallons of water per day will run through concrete "cells" where copper is removed before the water is returned to the pit through pipes.
Company officials say they expect to recover between 75,000 and 100,000 pounds (34,020 and 45,360 kilograms) of copper per month.
Officials say that before the facility can discharge any water into a nearby creek they need to show the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the liquid will not cause harm.
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Information from: The Montana Standard, http://www.mtstandard.com

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