Metals & Alloys

Good Answer, and I rated it as such.

I have also worked in the mining industry. First 30 years ago at a copper mining (block cave) and processing plant, and in this decade at a gold mining and processing plant. Both were good stewards of the land, in my opinion.

In both cases, the mining companies did not come in and disrupt a community; it was the other way around. These companies often build the town and infrastructure necessary to attract (and keep) the workers. Small communities then grow up around the area, supplying the other goods and services.

The problems usually start when someone gets the idea to turn the area into a resort area. Oblivious to the fact that they would never have chosen that area, if it didn't have the amenities and infrastructure (roads, hospital, gas stations...) that were originally paid for by the industry they are now at odds with.

Great point! Now that you mention it, the town where our main plant is was pretty much supported in the early years by all the cement and limestone mines. The mines use to be one of the few places in the area to get a decent paying job. Those of us that didn't leave for college dreamed of getting on at one of the plants. Everyone had a friend or relative at the plants. I tried to change carreers but the "dot com" meltdown ruined that attempt. So I face the fact that I am to run heavy equipment until I retire. And it is actually not a bad gig, as long as I keep my pit floor smooth and level.

Thanks for the reply and rating. Back at you!

Bill

As a westerner I was brought up to believe resources are to be used. That said, mitigation of impact is becoming increasingly necessary for many reasons.

While tailings and leaching can be controlled, the need for water in mining conflicts with the need for water elsewhere; and water in the west is in short supply. I am sure there are solutions to this problem too; but it is easier and cheaper at this time to fight instead.

i love the line in heaven can wait " we don't care what it costs we just care about how much we make" oh that that were true . i do beleive that the industry can technically deal with the tailngs . but as a lay person am i expected to have faith in remote ownership , whether it's stock holders or private equity the rewards for spoillling are huge almost god like and the risks negligable.(people don't go to prison for toxic spills into the waterways do they ?) add to this the mine's remote owners and their political connections and i wonder what the traffic will bear.

charles dickens' time saw great progressive reforms, but dickens himself was against these reforms . great journalist that he was he pinned his hope on a human heart , that of a Mr scrooge.

maybe this year all the share holders will have christmas with all the mine workers and all the downstream communities will prepare a feast made from the meat and produce of the local farms . the share holders will vote to spend whatever it takes to contain the tailings

my point is this; 1)what technology does it take to do this clean. 2)what does it cost and 3) will the remote owners pay for it 4) does the increased cost effect the viability within the current price /ownership system 5) are there legal methods to hold private equity/stockholders accountable 6) is the political system occupied by the same remote owners

king minos asked posiedon for the most beautiful bull for the purpose of sacrifice but he fell in love with it and tried to cheat posiedon with the old switcheroo . offering up a lesser bull in it's stead . he had to build an elaborate labrynth to hide the shame of his dark secret.his son the minotuar had a birth defect. don't ask about his wife.

Fortunately we have a more robust EPA than we had when most mines (Pittsburg?) went into the ground; not perfect - but should be recovering from Bush soon.

And community input and monitoring will always be more robust than trusting anything - including the hearts of remote owners.

One of the most vexing issues with remote ownership has to do with third world countries without robust legal systems - the western U.S. has become litigious enough to enforce about any rules.

Gotta tell you, I would REALLY like to see a mining company smart enough to bring the community - especially the critics - into the process. Slow things down, and it would be hard; but the possibility of having your worst critic helping to defend you is worth a lot of investment.

Seen it done well in other industries, on a case-by-case basis, and it is really powerful.