HELENA, MT – Governor Greg Gianforte on Sep 12th, issued the following statement in response to an announcement from Stillwater Mining Company that it will lay off miners:

“On Sep 12th’s decision by Stillwater Mining is a significant blow to hardworking Montana miners, their families, and our communities. The State of Montana will bring to bear every available resource to help these workers and their families.

“This is a challenging time for the mining sector. The ongoing regulatory assault on mining and natural resources has burdened this critical sector of our economy. The fact is the United States cannot and should not have to rely on our foreign adversaries for energy, critical metals, or other resources. The United States must support these industries, and their workers, with a policy dedicated to making our nation energy and resource dominant and independent.”