Lecture on the History of Butte, Montana and the Anaconda Copper Mining Company

Overview

Butte, Montana: Known for its large pit and mining history, heavily influenced by the Anaconda Copper Mining Company.

Butte started as a mining town, known for the Berkeley Pit.
Significant Irish population, referred to as the "Fighting Irish."
Historically, Butte had a strong Democratic presence due to its diverse labor force.

Founded by Marcus Daly, an Irish immigrant with mining experience.
Daly initially sought gold and silver but found rich copper deposits instead.
Daly's Anaconda Mining Company outlasted competitors, becoming a major player by dropping prices.
In 1923, the company expanded internationally by purchasing holdings in Chile for $75 million.
By the '50s and '60s, foreign mines accounted for roughly 75% of the company's profits.

Anaconda significantly contributed to Montana's economy, influencing many industries, including timber, railroads, and even politics.
Known as "The Company," Anaconda had a dominant presence in Montana.
By 1950s, the ore quality in Butte declined after 70 years of intense mining.
In 1955, Anaconda opened the Berkeley Pit, significantly impacting local communities.
Anaconda owned significant media outlets, further entrenching its influence.
Montana's economy was heavily tied to natural resources leading to economic vulnerability.

In 1973, Chile nationalized Anaconda's operations there, leading to significant financial losses.
The company could not recover and ceased operations in Montana by 1980.
The decline led to significant job losses and population decline in Butte.
Local leaders formed a task force to resurrect the economy.
The environmental impact left behind led to multiple Superfund cleanup sites, including the notorious Berkeley Pit, which became acidic over time.
The cleanup has been a long-term effort involving multiple sites, like Old Works, Opportunity, Smelter Hill, and Warm Springs Pond.
Despite its controversial history, the Anaconda Company laid the foundation for modern Montana in many ways.

The dominance of a single company can be both beneficial and detrimental.
Modern Montanans likely would not want to return to an era of corporate control as intense as Anaconda's.
Future economic development should diversify and align with modern, digital, and information-based industries.

Marcus Daly: Founder of Anaconda, immigrant from Ireland, initially sought gold and silver.
Robert Swartout, Dave Walter, Paul Polzin: Scholars providing commentary on Anaconda's impact.
Evan Barrett, John Talbot: Commented on the broader implications of Anaconda's presence.

Anaconda was crucial for Montana's development but also left a mixed legacy.
Future economic strategies should focus on diversification and adapting to new economic paradigms.