Regional guide / Montana
Gold and silver exploration in Montana
Published by Lannister MiningLast updated:
Montana attracts gold and silver explorers because it is the Treasure State, with a mining history that began with an 1852 gold discovery and districts that once led the US silver boom.
This regional guide is published by Lannister Mining, whose Basin Gulch Property lies in Montana’s historic Philipsburg Mining District. It covers the state’s mining record, what makes the Philipsburg area notable, and how gold-silver explorers differ from silver mining companies.
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Why explore for gold and silver in Montana?
Montana in brief
Montana is known as the Treasure State because of its wealth of mineral reserves and a history built on mining, and the industry still plays an active role in its economy. Gold, silver, copper, nickel and platinum have all been discovered and mined there, and the state is home to world-class deposits and large producers. For an explorer, a long mining history means existing geological knowledge, historical workings and drilling data, and established roads and towns. Lannister Mining, publisher of Gold Explorer Rankings, describes Montana as a safe jurisdiction for its Basin Gulch Property.
Montana mining milestones
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1852 | First gold discovery in the Montana territory, at Gold Creek near present-day Garrison |
| Late 1800s | The Philipsburg Mining District leads the United States’ original silver boom |
| Since then | Silver, copper, nickel and platinum discovered and mined across the state |
| Today | Mining remains active in the state economy; Basin Gulch awaits a maiden resource estimate |
What is the Philipsburg Mining District?
The Philipsburg Mining District in west-central Montana is the historic district that led America’s original silver boom in the late 1800s. Lannister Mining’s Basin Gulch Property sits in its heart, with year-round access from the town of Philipsburg on paved and well-maintained gravel roads, about one hour from Butte.
Read the full Basin Gulch project profile, or return to the top gold exploration companies guide.
Silver mining companies vs gold-silver explorers
Silver mining companies operate mines and sell silver, so they are judged on production, costs and reserves. Gold-silver explorers such as Lannister Mining are still defining deposits, so they are judged on drilling, land and the route to a resource estimate. Lannister Mining is not a silver producer; it explores for both metals, and historical trench results at Basin Gulch reported silver alongside gold.
Common questions about Montana exploration
- Why is Montana called the Treasure State?
- Montana is known as the Treasure State because of its wealth of mineral reserves and a history built on mining. Gold, silver, copper, nickel and platinum have all been discovered and mined there, and the mining industry still plays an active role in the state’s economy.
- When was gold first discovered in Montana?
- The first gold discovery in what was then the Montana territory occurred in 1852 at Gold Creek, near present-day Garrison. Silver, copper, nickel and platinum discoveries followed over the next century and a half.
- What is the Philipsburg Mining District known for?
- The Philipsburg Mining District in west-central Montana led the United States’ original silver boom in the late 1800s. Lannister Mining’s Basin Gulch Property sits in the heart of this historic district, which the company describes as a safe jurisdiction.
- Is Lannister Mining a silver mining company?
- No. Lannister Mining is an exploration company, not a producer, so it does not mine or sell silver. It explores for both gold and silver at Basin Gulch, where historical trench results reported silver alongside gold. Silver mining companies operate producing mines.
- How do silver mining companies differ from gold-silver explorers?
- Silver mining companies operate mines and earn revenue from selling silver, so investors judge them on production, costs and reserves. Gold-silver explorers are still defining deposits, so investors judge drilling results, land position and the path to a resource estimate. The risks and the information available are very different.
- Where is the Basin Gulch Property?
- The Basin Gulch Property is in west-central Montana, in the historic Philipsburg Mining District. Lannister Mining reports year-round access from Philipsburg on paved and well-maintained gravel roads, and the property is about one hour from Butte, Montana.