For a brief moment in American history, the city of Butte, Montana stood at the center of the industrial world. Its copper powered the electrification of cities, fueled economic growth, and helped shape the United States into a global industrial power. Yet as mining expanded elsewhere and global markets shifted, Butte's fortunes declined, leaving behind a complex legacy of economic volatility, social change, and environmental impact.

​In this session, we explored the remarkable history of Butte and what it can teach us about the challenges that may confront American mining in the future. Akira Dunham—writer and mining industry professional—presented on the city's rise and decline. We examined the unique personalities that shaped the city’s evolution, its position at the vanguard of the American labor movement, and its significant role during the world wars. And we considered why mining has returned to the national conversation as demand grows for the minerals needed to support energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing.