SEELEY LAKE, Montana — Nearly four months after Pyramid Mountain Lumber announced its plans to end operations and close its gates, Missoula Economic Partnership remains hopeful that a buyer will emerge before the mill is dismantled. Grant Kier, head of the Missoula Economic Partnership, told county officials on Thursday that several potential buyers remain interested in the mill. He said those conversations remain ongoing, though time may be running out. “There are no new logs coming into Pyramid,” said Kier. “They’ve set July 15 as the date they’d begin selling equipment at auction. It’s really until then that they’d accept a compelling offer. There are still a few parties interested.” …Missoula County Commissioner Josh Slotnick toured a forest restoration project earlier this week and, based on feedback, he believes a new operating model could breathe new life into the aging Seeley Lake mill.