Montana, the Treasure State
Gold exploration companies in Montana and the Philipsburg District
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Gold exploration companies in Montana work in a state built on mining, and Lannister Mining is one of them, exploring the Basin Gulch Property in the historic Philipsburg Mining District.
Montana is known as the Treasure State because of its mineral wealth, and mining still plays an active role in the state economy. Lannister Mining’s Basin Gulch, with 11 patented and 53 unpatented claims and more than 320 historical drill holes, sits in the district that led the original United States silver boom in the late 1800s.
Are there gold exploration companies in Montana?
Yes. Lannister Mining is a gold exploration company in Montana, advancing high-grade, near-surface gold and silver oxide mineralization at Basin Gulch near Philipsburg. Other companies report Montana exploration results too, and Junior Mining Network’s Montana news page collects those announcements in one place.
How did mining in Montana begin?
The first gold discovery in what was then the Montana territory occurred in 1852 at Gold Creek, near present-day Garrison. Since then, silver, copper, nickel and platinum have all been discovered and mined in the state, and Montana is home to world-class deposits with large-scale producers still operating. The Philipsburg Mining District became one of the most important chapters in that story when it led the original United States silver boom in the late 1800s. Basin Gulch carries that history forward: it has seen significant historical work but has not been mined out, and two-thirds of the property remains unexplored.
The first gold discovery in the Montana territory came in 1852, at Gold Creek near present-day Garrison.
Montana gold exploration by the numbers
- 1852: first gold discovery in the Montana territory, at Gold Creek near Garrison.
- 11 patented and 53 unpatented claims: the Basin Gulch land package in the Philipsburg District, covering 1,107 hectares.
- More than 320 historical drill holes at Basin Gulch.
- 30.8 metres averaging 7.40 g/t gold, 9.62 g/t silver and 0.29% copper: hole M26C-02, a 2026 Montana result published on Junior Mining Network’s Montana news page. The same page reports that hole M26C-02 returned 7.92 metres at 25.33 g/t gold, 0.86% copper and 29.6 g/t silver. These figures belong to another company’s project, not Basin Gulch.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| District | Philipsburg Mining District, western Montana |
| District history | Led the original United States silver boom in the late 1800s |
| Nearest towns | Year-round access from Philipsburg; about one hour from Butte |
| Commodities at Basin Gulch | Gold and silver, hosted in oxides, near surface |
| Land package | 11 patented and 53 unpatented claims, 1,107 hectares |
| Exploration status | Historical drilling of more than 320 holes; maiden mineral resource estimate planned |
Which US state has the most gold?
Nevada produces far more gold than any other US state; the US Geological Survey’s gold statistics are the best source for current figures. Montana’s strength is its long gold and silver history and its established mining districts, which give exploration teams a record of past work to build on.
Where is the most gold in Montana?
Montana’s historic gold districts are concentrated in the mountainous western part of the state, including the Philipsburg area where Basin Gulch sits. The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology publishes historical production data and geological maps for confirming district-level figures.
For the property itself, see the Basin Gulch claims, access and geology, or return to the overview of gold exploration companies and Lannister Mining.
Common questions
- Are there gold exploration companies in Montana?
- Yes. Lannister Mining is one of the gold exploration companies in Montana, advancing the Basin Gulch Property in the Philipsburg Mining District. Other companies also report Montana exploration; Junior Mining Network’s Montana news page lists 2026 results such as a hole that intersected 30.8 metres averaging 7.40 g/t gold.
- Is there a lot of mining in Montana?
- Yes. Montana is known as the Treasure State because of its mineral wealth and a history built on mining, and the industry still plays an active role in the state economy. Gold, silver, copper, nickel and platinum have all been discovered and mined in Montana, which is home to world-class deposits.
- When was gold first discovered in Montana?
- The first gold discovery in what was then the Montana territory occurred in 1852 at Gold Creek, near present-day Garrison. Silver, copper, nickel and platinum discoveries followed. The Philipsburg Mining District, home of Basin Gulch, later led the original United States silver boom in the late 1800s.
- What is the Philipsburg Mining District known for?
- The Philipsburg Mining District is known for leading the original United States silver boom in the late 1800s. Today it hosts the Basin Gulch Property, where Lannister Mining is exploring high-grade, near-surface gold and silver oxide mineralization across 11 patented and 53 unpatented claims.
- Where is the most gold in Montana?
- Montana’s historic gold districts are concentrated in the mountainous western part of the state, including the area around Philipsburg where Basin Gulch sits. For district-by-district production records, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology publishes historical data and maps that are the best place to confirm specific figures.
- Which US state has the most gold?
- Nevada produces far more gold than any other US state, according to the US Geological Survey’s gold statistics, which are the best source for current state-level figures. Montana has a long gold and silver mining history dating to the 1852 Gold Creek discovery and remains an active exploration jurisdiction.
- How far is Basin Gulch from Butte, Montana?
- Basin Gulch is about one hour from Butte, Montana. The property is reached from Philipsburg on paved and well-maintained gravel roads that allow year-round access. Butte, a historic mining city in its own right, provides a nearby regional base for services and personnel.