<body><div>BROADWATER COUNTY, Mont. - Just west of Townsend is the Graymont Indian Creek Mine, located in the Limestone Hills. The material they mine and process might not be as flashy as gold or silver, but it is one of the most important materials in the modern era.“This is one of only two limestone mines in the state, and they're Broadwater County's largest employer, with about 70 employees here,” said Gov. Greg Gianforte who was given a tour on Monday. “So Montana has always been in the mining business. It's a key part of our economy, and it's great to be able to get a look at the operation firsthand.”The governor toured the kiln and quarry operations, seeing how limestone is excavated in the quarry before being broken down at the site. It is then cooked in a kiln at around 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit to make calcium oxide, more commonly known as “lime.”Lime is an incredibly versatile compound; it’s used in construction, manufacturing, agriculture, environmental protection and much more.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=46sD0Z_1FbFBcWw00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=46sD0Z_1FbFBcWw00" width="1920" height="1080" ><figcaption>Gianforte tours limestone operation near Townsend, Montana John Riley NonStop Local Reporter</figcaption></figure>“It's used in desulfurization for coal-fired power plants, and it's used in our roads for soil stabilization, for water treatment,” noted Graymont Plant Manager Paul Liner. “A lot of it is sold over to Montana Resources to treat the Berkeley Pit, to control the pH in the pit.”Graymont has produced lime products from the Indian Creek site since 1981. Today, it runs seven days a week with around 40 people working at the kiln plant and operations for Graymont. Another 30 work on the quarry side; that staff is contracted to Weave Industries.The team moves mountains, with around 5 million tons of material moved every year.“It is really impressive,” said Weave Industries Co-Owner Jennifer Kondracki. “We work 12-hour days, seven days a week, and we couldn't be more proud of our team and how closely they work with Graymont, and to do it safely. It's such a big, hard job, and there are a lot of elements that the team does a great job navigating, so we couldn't be more proud, and we're just very lucky to be part of the great team up on the mountain here.”The jobs with Graymont and Weaver also pay well, allowing employees to live in a community they want to stay in.“They're the best people around. I love to work with these guys, and I am glad that we're able to pay them a good wage, that they can lead a good life and take care of their families,” noted Liner.Employees at the site Nonstop Local spoke with say they take pride in the work and in continuing the Treasure State's mining legacy.Sam Buchanan grew up in Dillon, where his mother worked at the nearby Barretts Minerals Inc. talc mine. He graduated from Montana Tech and now works as director of risk management and mining for Weave Industries.“My mom worked there for over 25 years. So being able to work here with Quarry Services for the last 13 years in the mining capacity, I'm proud of that,” noted Buchanan.</div></body>

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BROADWATER COUNTY, Mont. - Just west of Townsend is the Graymont Indian Creek Mine, located in the Limestone Hills. The material they mine and process might not be as flashy as gold or silver, but it is one of the most important materials in the modern era. “This is one...

Digging into Montana's limestone industry

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BROADWATER COUNTY, Mont. - Just west of Townsend is the Graymont Indian Creek Mine, located in the Limestone Hills. The material they mine and process migh

Digging into Montana's limestone industry

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