U.S. Senator Steve Daines visited the Bull Mountains Mine in Musselshell County on Friday, celebrating what he called a major victory for Montana jobs and American energy. The mine, one of the state’s three large-scale active coal operations, had faced the prospect of closure in recent years but will remain open due to a provision Daines secured in President Donald J. Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.
“The Bull Mountains Mine provides nearly 250 jobs for hardworking Montanans in Musselshell County and is critical for our nation’s energy independence,” Daines said during the visit. “I’m proud that my provision to keep this important mine open was signed into law by President Trump in the One Big Beautiful Bill, and it was great to be on site today to receive updates about its operation. Montana plays a huge role in supporting Made-in-America energy and I’ll always fight to further our energy dominance.”
The mine had come under threat of closure during the Biden administration, but Daines’ legislative push—combined with actions by the Trump administration—ensured its continued operation.
Daines has made keeping the Bull Mountains Mine open a top priority. In March 2025, he introduced S.362, a bill to allow specific sections of federal minerals to be mined in order for the facility to maintain production. That measure passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support.
Earlier in January, Daines also introduced the Crow Revenue Act, aimed at authorizing a mineral swap to support continued operations at the mine while providing the Crow Tribe with additional revenue.
The Bull Mountains Mine has long been a key economic driver in the region, producing coal for domestic energy markets and supporting hundreds of direct and indirect jobs. Daines called its preservation “one of many monumental energy wins” in the One Big Beautiful Bill, arguing it strengthens both Montana’s economy and the nation’s energy security.