A Montana state judge has rejected an environmental challenge to an $86 million Arch Coal Inc. coal lease, ruling on Feb. 3 that the state did not violate its duty to study and mitigate environmental impacts because it still had the power to stop mining or to demand adjustments before mining begins.

United Copper Industries, a leading manufacturer of copper wire, has taken on $150 million in debt as part of a buyout by private equity firm KPS Capital Partners LLC, the company said Thursday.