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Montana Gold Exploration GuidePublished by Lannister Mining
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Gold Exploration by the Numbers

Published by Lannister MiningLast updated November 2026

The clearest 2026 numbers on Montana gold and silver projects come from owners' own disclosures, such as Hecla's Libby resource and Montana Tunnels' reclamation funding.

The Montana Gold Exploration Guide, published by Lannister Mining, collects published statistics here exactly as their sources state them. None of these are Lannister Mining's own figures; for Basin Gulch numbers, see the property page.

How much gold and silver is in Montana projects today?

Public figures vary by project stage. Hecla reports an inferred resource at Libby of 112.2 million short tons grading 1.63 ounces of silver per ton and 0.68% copper. Basin Gulch has historical drilling but no compliant resource yet.

Published statistics

  • MontanaUS$20.78 million

    Received by Montana DEQ for reclamation at Montana Tunnels on 11 September 2026; the mine has been idle since 2008.

    Source: Farmonaut

  • Montana112.2 million short tons

    Hecla's inferred resource at Libby, grading 1.63 ounces of silver per ton and 0.68% copper, in its table dated 31 December 2025.

    Source: Farmonaut

  • MontanaUS$30 million

    What Hecla paid for the Libby (Montanore) project in 2016, according to MTFP.

    Source: Farmonaut

  • MontanaUS$35.10 per ton

    Hecla's net smelter return cut-off for Libby, at assumed prices of US$26 per ounce of silver and US$4.00 per pound of copper.

    Source: Farmonaut

  • Yukon513.1 ounces

    Klondike Gold's cumulative 2026 Montana Creek royalty receipts of placer flake gold at about 82% purity, through end of season on 15 October 2026.

    Source: Mining Stock Education

  • YukonAbout 440 ounces

    Gold at 99.99% purity credited to Klondike Gold after refining and processing fees.

    Source: Mining Stock Education

  • Global2,438koz

    Gold Fields group attributable gold-equivalent production in 2025, up 18%.

    Source: Gold Fields CEO statement

Common questions

What happened to the Montana Tunnels mine?

Montana Tunnels has been idle since 2008. According to a summary published by Farmonaut, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality received US$20.78 million for reclamation on 11 September 2026. It is a useful reminder that Montana's mining history includes closed operations and that reclamation is part of the state's regulatory process.

Read this answer in the full FAQ

Is Montanore a gold project?

No. The Libby or Montanore project in northwest Montana is a silver and copper project. Hecla reports an inferred resource at Libby of 112.2 million short tons grading 1.63 ounces of silver per ton and 0.68% copper, as of 31 December 2025, according to a summary published by Farmonaut. Hecla bought it in 2016 for US$30 million.

Read this answer in the full FAQ

Who owns most of the gold on Earth?

Jewelry makes up the largest share of all above-ground gold, and among governments the United States reports the largest official gold reserve, according to World Gold Council official holdings data. Central banks, investors and industry hold most of the rest. Holdings change every quarter, so confirm current figures on the World Gold Council website.

Read this answer in the full FAQ

What US state has the most gold?

Nevada is the leading gold-producing state in the United States by a wide margin, according to US Geological Survey mineral summaries. Montana has a smaller but historic gold record and remains an active exploration jurisdiction. Check the latest USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries for current production figures, since annual numbers change.

Read this answer in the full FAQ

What are the risks of investing in gold exploration?

Gold exploration is high risk. Drilling may not confirm historical results, a resource may be smaller than hoped, permitting and financing can take longer than planned, and metal prices change. Exploration companies usually have no mining revenue and rely on raising capital. Read each company's technical reports and filings, and consider independent financial advice.

Read this answer in the full FAQ
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Investors and exploration partners can reach investor relations directly by phone, email or the contact page.

Published by Lannister Mining