The Latest: Judge weighs Montana mining pollution case

The Latest on an Idaho mining company that plans to develop two mines in Montana. (all times local):

5 p.m.

A Montana judge is weighing arguments from an Idaho mining company that says it was unfairly labeled an industry "bad actor" because of pollution, putting two new mines in potential jeopardy.

Judge Matthew Cuffe did not immediately rule following a Thursday hearing in Montana District Court that pitted Hecla Mining Co. against the state Department of Environmental Quality.

Montana's bad actor law blocks individuals and companies who don't clean or pay for the cleanup of old mines from starting new ones.

Hecla CEO Phillips S. Baker Jr. was the chief financial officer at Pegasus Mining, which went bankrupt in 1998 and saddled the state with more than $35 million in pollution cleanup costs.

Hecla wants to develop two copper and silver mines beneath northwest Montana's Cabinet Mountains Wilderness.

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11 a.m.

An Idaho mining company is asking a Montana judge to strike down its designation as a "bad actor" over past pollution, saying the label could stall two mines proposed beneath a wilderness area.

State District Judge Matthew Cuffe has scheduled a Thursday hearing on Hecla Mining Co.'s request for a restraining order against the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

Montana's bad actor law blocks individuals and companies who don't clean or pay for the cleanup of old mines from starting new ones.

Hecla CEO Phillips Baker Jr. was former chief financial officer at Pegasus Mining, which went bankrupt in 1998 and saddled the state with more than $35 million in pollution cleanup costs.

Baker tells The Associated Press he was never in control of Pegasus, where he worked four years.