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The 2018 Mining Claim The 2018 Mining Claim n 1 www.wyomingmining.org Improving Results through partnerships Proud to do business in Wyoming (employing over 190 Wyoming residents) and committed to improving efficiency and lowering overall operating costs www.dynonobel.com www.wyomingmining.org 2 n The 2018 Mining Claim Mining in a New ENVIRONMENT Nothing is as good as it seems. Nothing is as bad as it seems. And reality falls 1401 Airport Parkway, Ste. 230 | Cheyenne, WY 82001 somewhere in between. I tell Phone: 307-635-0331 my kids this on a regular www.wyomingmining.org basis, and as we reflect on the last year for our industry, I 2017-18 BOARD OF DIRECTORS think this statement has clear ring of truth. OFFICERS Wyoming miners have Dan Close | President seen significant changes over M-I SWACO the last few years in their operating environment at Paul Goranson | Vice President both the state and federal TRAVIS DETI Energy Fuels levels. Some of these changes Executive Director Shane Durgin | Secretary/Treasurer have been good for us, and Wyoming Mining Association Blackjewell Mining some not so good. Today, while we find ourselves on what I believe is more stable DIRECTORS ground, current challenges and future uncertainty remain. Todd Brichacek Solvay Chemicals No doubt the current federal regulatory environment Steve Cowan Cloud Peak Energy under the Trump Administration has brought some welcome Scott Durgin Peabody Energy changes. The regulatory relief is real, and perhaps more Russ Groombridge Interstate Power Systems importantly, the lines of communication between operators Wayne Heili Peninsula Energy and federal agencies have reopened. Miners are being heard Russell Krall Buckskin Mining Company once again. While issues still certainly remain, it has been Sabaleel Nandy Tata Soda Ash Partners ... Continued on Page 5 Dale Nuttall Wyo-Ben Marc Ostrem Wyodak Resources Keith Williams Arch Coal, Inc. TABLE OF CONTENTS STAFF Mining in a New Environment, Travis Deti ............................... 3 Travis Deti | Executive Director A Message from the WMA President, Dan Close ..................... 5 Pat Joyce | Assistant Director A Message from Gov. Matthew H. Mead ................................... 7 Heidi Peterson | Membership & Retention Federal Battle for Coal-Fueled Power Shifts to States ............... 8 WMA Regulatory Affairs Committee ....................................... 13 THE MINING CLAIM WMA Focuses on Safety & Education, Pat Joyce .................... 15 Voice of the Wyoming Mining Association Safety is Paramount, Neil Malicoat ............................................ 20 June 2018 © | Volume 44, No. 1 A Message from the MAW President, Russell Groombridge .. 24 THE MINING CLAIM is published annually by the Pictures from 2017 WMA Convention .................................... 27 Wyoming Mining Association. Convention Speakers .......................................................... 29 Subscription price for one year is $5.00. Convention Agenda ............................................................ 34 Peck Community Award Winner ....................................... 35 All orders for subscriptions, changes of address and correspondence to the editor should be addressed to: WMA & MAW Safety Award Winners ............................. 36 THE MINING CLAIM, Wyoming Mining Association, Reclamation Award .............................................................. 36 1401 Airport Parkway, Ste. 230, Cheyenne, WY 82001. WMA Salesman of the Year Awards .................................. 36 Dates for 2019 Conference .................................................. 36 Pat Joyce .......................................................................Editor Thanks to Sponsors & Donors ............................................ 38 Cover: Reclamation from American Colloid Bentonite Mining The 2018 Mining Claim n 3 www.wyomingmining.org www.wyomingmining.org 4 n The 2018 Mining Claim A Message From the WMA PRESIDENT The Wyoming Mining Its member companies are actively involved in community Association continues to safety and scholarship programs and community causes, pro- provide value to the citizens vide innovative research into alternative options for products, of Wyoming. Mining in lead the nation in safety accountability, and demonstrate some Wyoming is not without chal- of the highest examples of reclamation in the world. lenges, which includes market It is my personal belief that forward progress results not share dilution by competing only from conviction and persistence, but from the forging of commodities, competition positive working relationships among all stakeholders. This from foreign products, the involves seeking a common outcome, where possible, or af- costs associated with environ- fecting responsible change, where necessary. This strategy has, mental and social responsibil- time and again, proved successful. n ity, a diminishing trained and A guiding message to live by: engaged future work force, and the current reality of DAN CLOSE diverse public opinion. WMA President “I believe that every right implies a The WMA strives to stay M-I SWACO relevant through its active responsibility; every opportunity, an engagement in Wyoming issues, fostering positive dialog among stakeholders with a priority focus on education and obligation; every possession, a duty.” the promotion of safe and responsible mining. The WMA facilitates the collaborative efforts of industry/WDEQ work – John D. Rockefeller, Jr. groups, provides guidance to local, county, and state leaders, actively partners with the business community, and promotes resource and industry-related education in the public schools. Dan Close is President of the Wyoming Mining Association. ming coal will remain a critical source to help feed Ameri- In a New Environment ca’s energy appetite for years to come. Wyoming bentonite miners produced more than 1 ... Continued from Page 3 million tons over the previous year while also adding good to be at the table to talk about them and look for employees. The trona and natural soda ash industry also positive means to address challenges in a way that has not saw increased production. Regretfully, our uranium been available in recent years. producers continue to struggle with historic low prices and We also continue to make progress at the state regula- an over supplied market. tory level. The Wyoming Department of Environmental If one had to summarize the past year for the mining Quality continues the stand-up of the Uranium Agreement industry in Wyoming, the word “resilient” would be an apt State Program. Industry has been a driver in this effort and description. The industry continued to face strong head- has been included at every step of the process. On a more winds, but has proven its ability to adapt and remain strong. concerning note, the agency undertook to revise rules for The theme of this year’s annual convention of the Wyoming self-bonding. However, lines of communication have been Mining Association is “Wyoming Mining in a New Envi- open and industry has been involved from day one. ronment.” We’ll hear how our industry is adapting and At the legislative level, we will continue to face the what to expect going forward. pressure of efforts to raise taxes on the industry as the state The operating environment has changed and will struggles to fill critical revenue shortfalls. continue to do so. But in the end, Wyoming and America Market conditions also have a key role. All things remain reliant on our vital industry. And we will continue considered, we’ve seen some good situations and some bad to meet the challenge of providing the energy and raw ones over the last year. On the coal front, we saw some materials used by every citizen every day. n recovery from the dreadful downturn of the past couple of years. Production was up, as well as employment. While Travis Deti is the Executive Director of the Wyoming challenges remain on the horizon, projections show Wyo- Mining Association. The 2018 Mining Claim n 5 www.wyomingmining.org Custom Hose Assemblies While You Wait Featuring: You don’t need to wait for days for Eaton’s Aeroquip MatchMate® your custom hose assemblies. Our Triple Crown Hose Products because our customers work in some of the most new Aeroquip Express Store is demanding environments. stocked with the parts you need and 1. High Pressures: Improved designs staffed with knowledgeable sales allowed an increase in pressures on associates fully capable of building select Aeroquip® hose styles by an your assemblies the same day. average of 24% over the competition. 2. Improved Temperatures: Now We have premium Aeroquip hose, approved for -40°C to +127°C fittings, adapters, couplings and fluid (-40°F to +260°F). connectors for all your industrial and 3. Improved Abrasion Resistance: mobile needs. Aeroquip Dura-Tuff™ cover better abrasion. Works for longer service life Let Us Cover All of Your Hose Needs! than traditional rubber covered hose. Conveniently located on: Highway 59 South 3201 LeTourneau Drive Gillette, WY 82718 307-628-5858 / 800-788-5858 www.spencerfluidpower.com www.wyomingmining.org 6 n The 2018 Mining Claim The 2018 Mining Claim n 7 www.wyomingmining.org COAL-FUELED POWER Federal Battle Shifts to States It’s been just over a year since President Trump took office and our industry has ben- efited greatly from the change at the federal level. Yes, there is still work to be done in Washington DC, and yes this change cannot come soon enough. However, if you take a quick look at the achievements
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