"A federal judge in Montana has blocked the development of a contested mine next to a wilderness area in the northwestern part of the state, handing a victory to environmental activists who had argued the project could endanger grizzly bears and bull trout.

Citing the Endangered Species Act and other federal environmental laws in a pair of rulings late on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Donald Malloy effectively canceled the U.S. Forest Service permit issued for the proposed copper and silver mine last year.

Environmental groups praised the decision. "

Tom James reports for Reuters May 31, 2017. [2]