Federal Trade Investigation Offers Hope for 700 Laid-Off Montana Miners After Delegation’s Push

WASHINGTON — A federal trade commission decision to investigate Russian palladium dumping represents the first concrete step toward restoring nearly 700 Montana mining jobs lost to foreign market manipulation, validating a bipartisan push by the state’s congressional delegation.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted September 12th to continue investigations of imports of unwrought palladium from Russia, determining there is reasonable indication that the U.S. mining industry is injured by imports allegedly sold below fair market value and subsidized by the Russian government.

The decision follows an August letter from Montana’s entire congressional delegation urging President Trump to impose 50% tariffs on Russian palladium to protect the Sibanye-Stillwater Metallurgical Complex in Columbus—America’s only primary source of palladium and platinum.

“Russia has routinely undercut Montana’s mining industry by flooding the U.S. market with unwrought, underpriced palladium,” said Senator Tim Sheehy, who led the delegation’s advocacy effort. “I am hopeful the USITC’s continued investigation will result in decisive action to protect Montana jobs, safeguard our critical minerals industry, and secure America’s future.”

The Sibanye-Stillwater operations laid off approximately 700 workers as Russian market manipulation drove palladium prices down by more than half, forcing steep production cuts at the facility that serves as a strategic national resource for defense and energy sectors.

“The dumping of Russian palladium has had a direct impact on Montana livelihoods, causing the loss of nearly 700 jobs at the Sibanye-Stillwater Mine,” said Senator Steve Daines. “I am encouraged by the USITC’s continued investigation into the dumping of unwrought, underpriced palladium.”

The commission’s decision comes after Sibanye-Stillwater and the United Steelworkers union filed formal trade petitions against Russian palladium imports in July, alleging dumping and subsidization through the German company BASF.

Russia has dominated global palladium production by exploiting state subsidies, lax environmental regulations, and government-controlled mining rights to flood international markets with artificially cheap metals.

“The USITC’s decision to continue its investigation is welcome news for U.S. national security and, most importantly, for the approximately 700 hardworking Montanans who were laid off at Sibanye-Stillwater mine as a result of Russian commodity dumping,” said Congressman Troy Downing.

The Montana facility represents a critical piece of America’s mineral security infrastructure. Palladium is essential for catalytic converters, electronics, and defense applications, making domestic production vital during periods of global instability.

“Montana’s mines are on the front lines of America’s resource security, and they deserve a fair shake,” said Congressman Ryan Zinke. “Russia has manipulated the palladium market to try to drive American production out of business, and that’s a direct threat to our national security and Montana jobs.”

The delegation’s coordinated pressure campaign began in August when they toured the Sibanye-Stillwater operations and witnessed firsthand the impact of Russian trade practices on Montana communities.

“We cannot allow overseas adversaries to secure a monopoly over resources that are critical to both our national defense and our energy economy,” Sheehy said in the delegation’s original letter to Trump.

While the USITC investigation could take up to 13 months to complete, the commission’s decision to continue the probe signals that preliminary evidence supports claims of unfair Russian trade practices.

The delegation had specifically requested immediate 50% tariffs as a stopgap measure while formal trade cases proceed through federal channels.

“America cannot afford to become dependent on Russian-controlled palladium, especially at a time of growing global instability,” the lawmakers wrote in their August letter.

The investigation represents another test of the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting domestic mineral production after swift action earlier this year to expand Montana coal mining operations.

The Sibanye-Stillwater complex supports thousands of American workers and entire communities across Montana, producing metals that power both domestic industrial needs and serve as strategic reserves during international crises.

“I fully support the USITC’s investigation and hope it will lead to strong action that puts an end to Russia’s predatory trade practices,” Zinke said.