Sheep Creek mine exploration company announces ‘relocation’ to Darby

U.S. Critical Materials Corp. announced this week it is moving its headquarters to Darby from Salt Lake City.

The company is planning a controversial mine exploration, the Sheep Creek Project, at the headwaters of the Bitterroot River.

In a news release, the company also announced leadership appointments.

Those are Scott Osterman as CEO; James McCubbin as chief financial officer; Chad Miller as chief technology officer; Peter Mejstrik as chief geologist; Eric Levy-Myers as director of government affairs; and Chris Whaling as director of AI integration.

“Relocating our headquarters to Darby demonstrates our commitment in a tangible way,” Osterman said in a statement. “We are investing in Montana, establishing a local presence, and creating opportunities for people to engage directly with our team.”

At public meetings, residents of the Bitterroot Valley across the political spectrum have expressed opposition to a mine in that area and the mine exploration plan, and to the persistent lack of communication and transparency from U.S. Critical Materials.

In its news release, the company said it wants to be engaged with the community, and it launched a new website dedicated to the Sheep Creek Project at www.SheepCreekProject.com. 

The website lists an address as 206 S. Main, Unit B, and a company spokesperson said the office will be open to the public in the second half of July.

“The new Darby office will serve as a local information center where residents, business owners, community leaders, and visitors can learn about the project and speak directly with project representatives,” the news release said.

The company has said mineral samples show valuable “rare earths” are present in the area, used in everything from iPhones to electric vehicles.

It wants to see if the minerals are there in significant concentrations.

The Bitterroot National Forest said this week U.S. Critical Materials submitted a revised plan for the project, and the U.S. Forest Service is working with the company to “gather additional information needed prior to moving into environmental analysis.”

“The appropriate level of analysis has yet to be determined,” said a news release from West Fork District Ranger Dan Pliley.

It said questions and comments for the Forest Service can be submitted to [email protected].

Questions for the company can be sent to [email protected].