The Mining Claim 2022

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www.wyomingmining.org

2022-23 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

Aaron Reichl | President

Genesis Alkali

Bernard Bonifas | Vice President Energy Fuels

Shane Durgin | Secretary/Treasurer

Kemmerer Mine DIRECTORS

Scott Durgin Peabody

Christian Palich Eagle Specialty Materials

Wayne Heili Peninsula Energy

Craig Rood Sisecam

Marc Kenley Buckskin Mining Company

Mike Thomas Black Hills Bentonite

Tyler Tetrault Bentonite Performance Minerals

Traci Lacock Hirst Applegate

Keith Williams Arch Resources

Steve Williams NTEC

STAFF

Travis Deti | Executive Director

Pat Joyce | Assistant Director

Heidi Peterson | Membership & Retention

THE MINING CLAIM

Voice of the Wyoming Mining Association

August 2022 © | Volume 48, No. 1

THE MINING CLAIM is published annually by the Wyoming Mining Association.

Subscription price for one year is $5.00.

All orders for subscriptions, changes of address and correspondence to the editor should be addressed to: THE MINING CLAIM, Wyoming Mining Association, 1401 Airport Parkway, Ste. 230, Cheyenne, WY 82001. Pat Joyce............................................................Editor

ABOUT THE WYOMING MINING ASSOCIATION

COMMUNICATION

WMA promotes the mining industry by communicating with elected officials, regulators, educators, and the public in a credible way that encourages trust and confidence and earns respect as a reliable source of information on issues pertinent to the industry. We do this by:

• publicizing the environmental achievements and responsible processes used by the mining industry;

• discussing environmental challenges faced by the mining industry;

• promoting the value of the mining industry to the state’s economy;

• creating awareness for the importance of mining products provided to the nation;

• building understanding of the economic value and high quality of life created by mining; and

• creating awareness of the challenges and issues facing the mining industry.

LEGISLATION

WMA also influences legislative, regulatory, and education processes in a proactive and credible way so the interests of the mining industry are considered in important decisions impacting Wyoming. We do this by:

• maintaining awareness and engagement in the ongoing legislative committee process to ensure decisions are made in the best interest of the State, its citizens, and the industry;

• promoting consistent, rational, and prudent rules and regulations that encourage environmentally responsible mining based on sound science; and

• providing accurate, timely information on mining issues to educational programs.

PARTNERSHIPS

WMA promotes the mining industry by partnering with regulators, educators, and the public to build collaborative and trusting relationships. We do this by:

• educating youth about the significance of the mining industry;

• building a healthy environment that co-exists with a healthy mining industry; and

• creating economic value and a high quality of life value in an environmentally responsible manner.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPOR TUNITIES

To say the Wyoming mining industry is operating in challenging and interesting times these days may be a bit of an understatement. From unprecedented inflation and cripplingly expensive fuel prices driving production costs ever higher, to an extremely hostile federal administration intent on keeping coal resources in the ground and making it more difficult to produce other critical commodities, at times it seems like we just cannot get a break.

Even when market forces line up in our favor, such as high natural gas prices and strong demand for Wyoming coal, we find issues such as degradation of reliable railroad service in the way of our efforts to capitalize.

Responsible mining and mineral resource development provides the raw materials for the products we use regularly, allowing Americans to achieve a standard of living unrivaled in human history.

Yet we find the mining industry and its ability to produce our resources under significant and growing pressure. Inflation driven by both spending policies from Washington, DC and the Biden Administration’s stubborn refusal to increase domestic energy production is impacting production costs across the board from the cost of diesel to the costs of services and supplies. All of Wyoming’s mining sectors are being impacted.

Along with policy decisions at the state and federal levels, and misguided environmental goals, these factors all create significant challenges for our industry.

Despite these persistent tests, however, there is room for optimism. Demand and prices for Wyoming coal are stronger today than we’ve seen in many years. Wyoming’s coal companies have answered the call, have added employees and increased production. The troubling decrease in rail service reliability, which hurts the ability to move our coal to customers who want our product is inexcusable and frustrating. No one can say Wyoming producers are not doing their part.

Wyoming bentonite producers continue to meet world demand for many products. The pet litter market remains strong. But federal legislation increasing and adding new royalties and taxes, as well as restrictive regulations are winding their way through Washington, DC. Rather than enhancing our nation’s ability to produce more of what America needs within America, these measures instead increase dependence on foreign sources by decreasing our domestic competitiveness. We are prepared to face this challenge head on. There is great reason for optimism in the Wyoming uranium industry. With the move to develop the TerraPower reactor in Wyoming along with rising prices and a new focus on domestic production, opportunities in the near future for the industry abound. Wyoming producers are hiring and preparing to meet the demand.

BY: TRAVIS DETI Executive Director Wyoming Mining Association

So while the challenges are significant and sometimes never seem to ease, there are always opportunities. We must continue to pursue them with dedicated and bold action.

Wyoming trona producers have recovered remarkably from the COVID-19 downturn. Demand for our natural soda ash is strong and producers in Sweetwater County are working hard to meet it. Employment numbers are strong and growing, and expansion projects are moving ahead. While competition from synthetic suppliers remains fierce, natural soda ash from Wyoming trona remains the state’s top international export.

The growing national interest in development of domestic rare earth deposits has presented a tremendous opportunity for Wyoming. Companies are at work to stand up a viable rare earth mining and processing industry in our state. We are also pleased to report progress on a new gold mining operation near our state’s capitol city in Cheyenne.

In 1939, the British government created motivational posters for the British public in preparation for the oncoming German blitz of air attacks on their homeland. They said, “Keep Calm and Carry On.” From affordable, reliable electricity provided by Wyoming coal and uranium, to everyday products such as glass from Wyoming trona and pet litter from Wyoming bentonite, all Americans use the products of our mines each day. They may not recognize this truth, but it is nonetheless true.

The Wyoming mining industry remains strong. We will continue to confront current and future challenges, and seize upon opportunities as they arise.

We will Keep Calm and Carry On.

TELL YOUR STORY

When was the last time you told someone how proud you are to be a hardworking miner and how important your industry is to the prosperity of your community, Wyoming, and the USA? Did you tell them what your career, company, and industry have done for your family and community? Did you tell them why the output from your mine is critical to reliable energy or to the everyday products that they depend on for their high standard of living? Did you share the advances your industry has made in reclamation techniques or energy and water efficiency? Have you shared the number of high paying careers that your industry provides and how many upstream and downstream jobs it also supports? Have you shared the extent of royalties and taxes your industry has paid to local, state, and federal governments, supporting countless programs while helping to lower individual income taxes? Or did you let someone else tell them the story of mining?

Recent events in Europe coupled with critical supply shortages have shown how important it is for us to maintain reliable domestically sourced energy supplies, minerals, and heavy manufacturing. Without these core industries, not only do we risk severe supply shortages, but we put significant risk on the freedom and autonomy that defines us as a nation! Many still haven’t “heard” this message and continue to distance themselves from fossil fuels, minerals, and the heavy industries that depend on them.

This great nation was built on the backs of hardworking men and women in the mining industry. The output from our mines fueled the nation’s industrial revolution and provided the raw materials necessary for production of just about everything. Over the last 50 years, as mining and manufacturing have been outsourced more and more to foreign countries, less people know and understand what we do and where our products go. Once that connection is lost, it’s simple for someone to lose the appreciation for our industries and someone can then easily be swayed into believing our businesses are outdated, no longer needed in the US, wasteful, or not attractive places of employment.

Our success is dependent on stakeholders nationwide. People outside our industry approve our projects, consume our products, make policy and tax decisions, create incentive programs, educate our youth, and run our media outlets. If we don’t tell our story, what story are they going to hear from the majority of people in this nation that do not know and understand what we do? It’s easy for someone to ignore a positive message about mining in this detached world of texts, Zoom meetings, podcasts and ‘biased media’. But if that message is made personal, it cannot easily be ignored because it becomes REAL. Travis and the WMA team spend countless hours sharing our message. You have a very positive story to tell, as well. We work hard in industries that are critical to the freedom and success of our nation. Be proud of what you do! When someone asks you what you do or where you work, are you just going to say “I work for a mining company”?

Or, are you going to tell YOUR STORY?

BY: AARON REICHL WMA President Genesis Alkali, VP Technology & Busienss Development

AMERICA ' S NUCLEAR FUEL SUPPLY CHAIN BEGINS WITH WYOMING

The people of Wyoming are proud of our energy and mining heritage. We are America’s leading producer of coal, uranium, trona, and bentonite. As members of the Wyoming Mining Association, your hard work powers America’s economy and provides abundant, affordable, and secure energy to American families.

Americans count on Wyoming energy for gasoline and diesel fuel for our cars and trucks. Natural gas powers and heats our homes in the winter. We rely on coal and uranium to generate our electricity. Tens of thousands of Americans have jobs that rely on production of Wyoming oil, natural gas, coal, and uranium.

Wyoming is the country’s largest producer of coal. We’re also leading the way on the development of carbon capture. The Integrated Test Center in Gillette provides space for research teams to test carbon capture technologies. It gives researchers the opportunity to use carbon dioxide emissions directly from a coal-fired power plant. In 2020, President Trump signed my bill, the Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies (USE IT) Act, into law. The USE IT Act supports more groundbreaking research in the field of converting carbon emissions into valuable and marketable products. The development of both carbon capture technologies and coal-to-products will promote the long-term use of Wyoming’s abundant coal reserves.

Wyoming is blessed with abundant natural resources. We must not leave these vital resources buried in the ground. But that’s exactly what the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress are trying to do. They’re doing this through endless regulations, executive actions and partisan legislation. They’re shutting the door on American energy independence.

This will hurt Wyoming communities, kill jobs, and cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. Worst of all, it’s all happening in the midst of a recession where families in Wyoming and across the country are facing 40-year record high inflation and unaffordable gas prices.

Instead of undermining American resource production, we should be unleashing it.

This means using the critical minerals we have here at home. In order to do that, we have to speed up the approval process for mines right away. This will allow us to secure our supply chain and stop relying on China and Russia for these valuable resources.

BY: US SENATOR, JOHN BARRASSO

It is also vital we establish a long-term plan for American-mined uranium for a strategic reserve. Nuclear power is key to our national security. It’s time to use the vast uranium resources we have in Wyoming.

I introduced three bills earlier this year to jumpstart our nuclear fuel supply chain.

The first bill would ban imports of Russian uranium. We must remove all Russian energy from the American marketplace. Banning Russian uranium imports will further defund Russia’s war machine and help revive American uranium production.

The second bill will establish a national strategic uranium reserve. This reserve will help strengthen uranium production in Wyoming. Having this access to American produced uranium is critical to both our energy and national security. We should not be reliant on our adversaries for fuel we have at home.

Finally, my third bill will help the Department of Energy and our commercial sector make a supply of American high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) available. This supply will be used to power advanced nuclear reactors like TerraPower’s Natrium reactor, which will be located in Kemmerer.

Together, these three bills will ensure our nuclear fuel supply chain begins with Wyoming uranium and ends with American energy.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine should teach us that we can’t go back to paying our adversaries for resources we can produce here. America’s energy future needs to be made in the United States.

Thank you for the important work that you do, and I look forward to continuing to work with the members of the Wyoming Mining Association.

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BE WHO YOU ARE

Sounds easy enough. Right? What’s the latest buzz phrase? “You, be you.”

If when we were born we came with that simple instruction, our lives would be simple and perfectly orchestrated.

But we don’t. We come somewhat unassembled with the instinct and ability to make ourselves successful at something. The challenge is to grow up and be who we were born to be, even in the mix of all the people and events we navigate through to become us.

Leaders, good and bad, have a vision of who they want to be. They mostly know, throughout their lives, they want to be the lead dog. And, we need leaders. But, not all the dogs out front are fully equipped to lead the pack. While brains, talents, energy, vision, and courage all make for a good leader, those who are set apart from the rest know one thing well - themselves.

Most leaders know what they are skilled at doing. And they know what they are not good at doing. Hopefully they leave that to others who can do it better.

Great leaders learn over time:

- To gain the trust of those they lead through honesty, integrity and humility.

- To recognize the worth of course correction when they have veered off course, especially when it is hard or risky.

- To understand the courage it takes to make the hard, sometimes urgent, decisions to save the value of the organization and its people.

- To understand they can change as time goes on and grow to be a person of quality character that will set them apart at the head of pack.

Dr. Henry Cloud

I had the honor of participating in Leadership Wyoming this past year. Each partic -

ipant is asked to write a leadership article to share with their class and the alumni. When I thought through my career, and especially my time with the Wyoming Mining Association, I recalled several standout people I have had the pleasure to work with over time. Each one had that certain “it” that drew people to them, not because they felt compelled to please that person, but because the person showed them interest and respect. They had a certain humility and yet confidence that made it easy to approach them to communicate.

BY: PAT JOYCE Assistant Director Wyoming Mining Association

KNOW YOURSELF FIRST.

Most of us have had that opportunity, whether we were leading a company, or were responsible for a group or project that needed to be successfully completed. Whether you are the safety manager of a mine or the CEO of the corporation, it never hurts to take that extra time out and consider whether or not we are leading as we would wish to be led. Making sure we are doing our next steps for the right reasons. Asking ourselves, “is this move going to strengthen us or is it going to run us right up to the edge of disaster?”

“Is now the time for a course correction and if so, what are the deciding factors that we need to assess.” “ Who will this decision affect and what are our alternatives?”

Knowing our skills, our limits, our taste for risk, and our ability to lead are critical when we take on a leadership role. But, just as important, is our knowledge of ourselves about those things we don’t shine at. Humility and honesty with ourselves as well as those we lead, is a strength and skill that stands out and earns respect and loyalty from those we lead.

AND, HAVE THE BEST TIME WRITING YOUR OWN INSTRUCTIONS!

BE THE CHARACTER OUT FRONT!!

SO, BE A GREAT LEADER, IF THAT IS WHAT YOU KNOW YOU ARE BORN TO BE.

WYOMING SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS FOR TUITION

AND TRAINING

WMA RUSS BEAMER SCHOLARSHIP - The Wyoming Mining Association’s Russ Beamer Scholarship (named for WMA’s first Executive Director) is awarded annually at the Wyoming State Science Fair to Wyoming students whose projects focus on natural and environmental science in areas of benefit to the mining industry. Projects are judged and selected by the Wyoming Mining Association.

Hathaway Scholarship

• Available for recent high school graduates to attend UW or any of the colleges. The amounts vary depending on a student’s HS GPA and/or test scores, ranging from $3360/year to $1680/ year for four years.

Information available at: hathawayscholarship.org

Wyoming Investment in Nursing

• Students accepted into nursing programs (graduate or undergraduate) across the state may be eligible for a loan to cover unmet need. This loan can be repaid without cash payment by working in Wyoming as a nurse or nurse educator for a certain amount of time.

Information available on the WCCC website: www.communitycolleges.wy.edu

Wyoming Works

• Provides funds for students to pursue workforce-oriented programs at the community colleges. Funding of up to $3360/year is available to cover unmet cost of attendance if a student is enrolled in a Wyoming Works approved program.

Information available on the WCCC website: www.communitycolleges.wy.edu

Wyoming’s Tomorrow (authorized but not yet funded)

• WT is an endowed scholarship program, authorized by the 2022 Legislature, providing funding for Wyoming residents over 24 years old to pursue training and academic programs at the colleges and UW. Funding is not available at this time as the endowment is not yet fully funded. In the meantime the WCCC is developing rules and policies for the scholarship program.

Veterans’ Tuition Benefit

• Overseas combat veterans, surviving spouses and dependents receive full tuition reimbursement for up to 8 semesters within an 8-year period at any of the Wyoming colleges or UW.

Information available on the WCCC website: www.communitycolleges.wy.edu

DWS Training Grants

• Wyoming businesses can apply for grants from DWS to pay for employee training, up to $5000/trainee and limited to a total of $200,000 per business per year. Businesses must demonstrate that the trainings are needed to enhance productivity, efficiency or profitability.

Information on all DWS grants can be found at: https://dws.wyo.gov/dws-division/business-training-support-unit/workforce-development-training-fund/

DWS Apprenticeship Grants

• Funding from DWS and the Dept. of Labor to fund the instructional costs for employees in a Registered Apprenticeship Program.

DWS Internship Grants

• Provides funding for businesses to provide paid internships.

DWS Youth Grants

• Individuals under 24 years of age who are clients of Adult Education programs across the state may apply for funding to support their further education and associated costs.

Ellbogen Opportunity Scholarships

• The Ellbogen Foundation is continuing to provide scholarships for adults and returning students with financial need who are attending the community colleges. Scholarship recipients can receive up to $3000/year for two years. This scholarship was established in 2021 and renewed for 2022. Information can be found on individual community college websites

In addition to those listed above, a wide variety of private and institutional scholarships and grants are available as well. For more information about these, individuals should visit the colleges and the University’s individual websites. These scholarships can change from year to year, but the most up to date information can typically be found on an institution’s Financial Aid page.

Are you an industry expert who dreams about becoming a teacher?

There’s a pathway in Wyoming that lets you take your knowledge into the classroom. The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) and the Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) have come together to build a bridge between industry and education. The Professional Industry Career (PIC) Permit allows industry experts to teach grade levels 6-12 in the field(s) of the occupational specialty where the applicant has met all requirements. The PIC is valid for five years. For more information, or to download a permit application, visit the PTSB PIC website or contact PTSB Executive Director Brendan O’Connor at 307-777-1926 or brendan.oconnor1@wyo.gov

WMA BENEFITS

WORKING FOR YOU ALL YEAR LONG

Be

Member Benefits

Federal & State Agency Communications

Annual Convention and MAW Golf Tournament

Safety Conference and Trade Show

Lobbying – State Legislature, Congress

Mineral Work Groups – DEQ Communications

Education – CTE Outreach

Public Outreach

UW Energy Day

Promote/Produce Industry Forums to Support Mining

Partner with and Support Industry Allies

Election Candidate Forums

We have lots of options!

REGULATORY AFFAIRS

Subcommittees:

Sage Grouse Intervention Team

Migration Corridor Monitoring

Legislative Affairs

Water Quality

Bonding

Wildlife Archeology

Air Quality

Wyoming Coal Information Committee

Legislative Affairs

Safety Committee

Workforce-Education

CONVENTION OF THE WYOMING

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2022

9:00 WMA Board of Directors Meeting

11:00 – 2:30 Registration

1:45 Welcome

2:00 – 2:30

2:30 – 3:00

3:00

The Honorable John Barrasso, United States Senator

“Report From the Trenches: the State of Play on Environmental Regulations and Grid Reliability”

Mike Nasi - Jackson Walker

Panel Discussion “The Outlook for Mining Under the Biden Administration”

The Honorable Bill Johnson - United States Representative

Jerry Mullins, Senior Vice President - Governmental Affairs, National Mining Association

Mandy Gunasakara, Former Chief of Staff - US Environmental Protection Agency

Moderator: Christian Palich - Taft, Stettinius, & Hollister

5:00

Mining Associates of Wyoming Annual Function (Drinks and Heavy Hors d’oeuvres) (Snow King Resort)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022

7:00 Breakfast (Grand Teton)

7:30 – 1:00

Registration

“Overcoming Challenges, Seizing Opportunities”

8:00 to 8:30

“Uranium and Nuclear Energy at the Intersection of National and Energy Security - Good News For Wyoming”

Scott Melbye - President - Uranium Producers of America

8:30 to 9:00

“Update on TerraPower Kemmerer Project”

Chris Levesque - President and CEO - TerraPower

9:00 to 9:30

“CK Gold Project: An Advanced Stage Gold and Copper - Project in Laramie County”

George Bee - President and CEO - US Gold

9:30 to 10:00 Coffee Break

10:00 to 10:30 “IMCC: A Voice for State Mining Agencies”

Tom Clarke - Executive Director - Interstate Mining Compact Commission

WYOMING MINING ASSOCIATION

RESORT | JACKSON, WYOMING

SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES

10:30 to 11:30 Panel Discussion - “Emerging Workforce Development Issues”

Dana Pray, President and CEO - Pray & Company

Regina Turberville, Sr. Engineer - Tata Chemicals

Grover Wallace, President - Grover Wallace and Associates Leadership and HR Resources, LLC.

Robin Cooley, Director - Wyoming Department of Workforce Services

Moderator: Rhonda Zuraff - P&C Recruiting and HR

12:00 WMA Presidents Lunch – (Grand Teton)

Dan Starks

Founder and Chairman

National Museum of Military Vehicles

Former President and CEO - St. Jude Medical

6:00 No Host Cocktail Hour & “PAC” Silent Auction (Grand Teton)

7:00 Annual WMA Dinner (Grand Teton)

Salesman of the Year Awards

WMA Peck Community Achievement Award

Door Prizes and Silent Auction

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2022

9:00 The Governor’s Safety and Reclamation Awards Breakfast (Grand Teton)

The Honorable Mark Gordon Governor of Wyoming

WMA Safety Awards

WMA Safe Sam Award

MAW Safety Awards

State of Wyoming Reclamation Awards

1:30 Annual WMA Golf Tournament (Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club)

2021 CONVENTION SPEAKERS

“ Welcome"

The Honorable John Barrasso, M.D. United States Senator

Senator John Barrasso was sworn in to the United States Senate in 2007 having represented the people of Natrona County in the Wyoming State Senate from 2003-2007. In November 2018, Barrasso was reelected to the U.S. Senate with more than 67% of the vote.

He is the third-ranking member in the Senate Republican leadership as Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.

He serves on committees that directly impact Wyoming’s economy, energy interests, public lands, national parks and trade. In addition to other committee assignments, Barrasso is the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Senator Barrasso is known by many as Wyoming’s Doctor. During his 24 years as an orthopedic surgeon, Barrasso served as President of the Wyoming Medical Society and was named Wyoming Physician of the Year.

Barrasso has three children – Peter, Emma and Hadley. He and his wife Bobbi live in Casper.

Mr. Nasi’s compliance counseling, permitting, and enforcement defense work spans the following federal (and related state) programs: Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Solid Waste Disposal Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. He is often asked to play a strategic planning role on behalf of his clients in the midst of large, complex project developments.

Mike is counsel for parties in ongoing EPA regulatory proceedings relating to carbon dioxide, interstate air quality, regional haze, and coal combustion residuals, including appeals pending before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Eighth, Tenth, and D.C. Circuits, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States. Mike helps coordinate multi-state outreach efforts regarding these and other regulations impacting the electric power and mining sectors, appears at hearings and energy policy events across the country, and is published in several trade, law, and business journals on environmental law and energy policy topics.

Mr. Nasi is a Past Chairman of the State Bar of Texas Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section and serves as a guest lecturer in the “Energy Law & Policy” course at the University of Texas Law School and contributed to Rice University’s “Leadership & Decision Making in the Energy Industry” course.

Mike is consistently recognized on several “Who’s Who” and “Best Lawyer” lists and was awarded the Law 360 “Energy and Environmental Trailblazer Award.” Mike is on the Central Texas Salvation Army Advisory Board and is a Board Member for the West Austin Youth Association “

The Outlook for Mining Under the Biden Administration"

The Honorable Bill Johnson United States Representative

Mike Nasi is a partner with Jackson Walker LLP where he practices environmental and energy law. Mike has been practicing before state and federal environmental and energy agencies and appellate courts for 25 years and active in multi-state carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects for 15 years.

Bill Johnson was born and raised on family farms, where he learned early the values of hard work, honesty, and sacrifice. Johnson entered the U.S. Air Force in 1973 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after a distinguished military career of more than 26 years.

Following his retirement from military service, Johnson turned to creating and building high technology businesses and also served in the executive leadership team as Chief Information Officer of a global manufacturing company.

“

Report From the Trenches: the State of Play on Environmental Regulations and Grid Reliability"

Mr. Michael J. Nasi Partner, Jackson Walker LLP

In 2010, Johnson was elected to his first term to represent the people of Ohio’s 6th Congressional District, which covers much of eastern and southeastern Ohio. He was reelected to his sixth term in November of 2020.

Since first taking office, Johnson has been fighting to create jobs in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio, improve services to our nation’s heroes - our veterans, and to make our federal government more effective, efficient, and accountable to the American people. 18 bills authored by Johnson have been signed into law by presidents of both parties.

He currently serves on the House Energy & Commerce Committee and he is the Co-Chairman of the House Natural Gas Caucus and a member of the House Shale Caucus.

Bill and his wife LeeAnn currently reside in Marietta with a son, Nathan. He is also the proud parent of three grown children and is a grandfather of six.

“ The Outlook for Mining Under the Biden Administration"

Mr.

Jerry Mullins

Senior Vice President, Governmental Affairs, National Mining Association

Jerry Mullins is the Vice President for Governmental Affairs and External Relations for the National Mining Association.

Jerry has spent his career leading and implementing political, public affairs and communications campaigns that influence the public at large as well as targeted audiences. By combining his experience as a former reporter, television producer as well as a political strategist, Jerry has been active in national elections for 25 years.

Jerry’s work in the political arena included four years with the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee creating over 2,000 radio and television advertisements as well as producing hundreds of hours of programming from the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Republican National Conventions. Jerry also serves as the spokesperson for the Pentagon Memorial Fund.

Jerry is a graduate of North Carolina State University where he received Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Communications and Business Finance. He and his family reside in Annapolis, MD.

“ The Outlook for Mining Under the Biden Administration"

Mrs. Mandy Gunasakara Former Chief of Staff, US Environmental Protection Agency

From the Oval Office to the Senate Cloakroom, Mandy has been at the center of the most consequential energy and environmental decisions of the last decade. She is a veteran Republican climate and energy strategist, communicator, and environmental attorney who has a well-earned reputation for delivering results.

Mandy served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Under the leadership of Administrator Andrew Wheeler, Mandy set and implemented environmental policy priorities for the Trump-Pence Administration. She created and managed teams of political and career employees to shepherd key regulatory actions through the rule-making process. Mandy also served as a primary liaison with the White House and other administrative agencies.

Before returning to EPA as Chief of Staff, Mandy was the Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. In this role, she spearheaded many of the administration’s greatest energy and environmental policy achievements. Mandy was the chief architect of the Paris Accord withdrawal and the repeal of the Clean Power Plan – a costly regulation that undercut state’s authority and would have substantially increased electricity prices.

Previously, Mandy served in a number of roles in the U.S. Congress, including as Majority Counsel for the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for Chairmen Inhofe (R-OK) and Barasso (R-WY), respectively.

Mandy and her husband Surya started a boutique consulting firm where they help clients navigate the administration, Capitol Hill and the courts. They specialize in matters related to energy, environment, tax and trade. She is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law and Mississippi College. She and he husband and two children call Oxford, Mississippi, home.

“ The Outlook for Mining Under the Biden Administration"

Christian Palich VP of Public Affairs

Taft, Stettinius, & Hollister

Christian R. Palich is Vice President of Public Affairs for the firm Taft, Stettinius, & Hollister. He serves in the firms Public Affairs Strategies Group based in both Columbus, Ohio and in Washington D.C. He advocates for clients in multiple sectors across the nation, including Eagle Specialty Materials in Wyoming.

Christian began his professional career on the first campaign for Ohio 6th District Congressman Bill Johnson. He would go on to serve for several years in a variety of roles both on Capitol Hill, as well as in the Congressman’s District Office.

After serving Congressman Johnson, Christian in 2013 was selected to be President of the Ohio Coal Association, the state’s oldest energy trade association representing hundreds of members involved in the coal industry. Palich led that organization for nearly 4 years, advocating policy makers at both the state and federal levels.

In 2017, Palich returned to public service in Washington D.C. as he was appointed by President Trump to serve as Senior Political Staff at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he was a Deputy Associate Administrator of Congressional Affairs for the EPA Administrator. In 2019, he was appointed to the U.S. Department of the Interior working on mining and energy policy as a Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the Department of the Interior.

Christian graduated from Kent State University, where he in 2022 was appointed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to serve on the Universities Board of Trustees for his Alma Mater. He now lives in Plain City, Ohio, with his wife Minyet, “ Uranium

development projects in South Texas and the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. Scott is also Chief Executive Officer of Uranium Royalty Corp, the only pure-play royalty and streaming company in the uranium industry, providing development capital for new mine development.

Through June 2014, Scott was Executive Vice President, Marketing for Uranium One, responsible for global sales activities. Uranium One is among the world’s top four uranium producers from its mines in Kazakhstan and is the wholly-owned mining subsidiary of the Russian nuclear energy company Rosatom.

Prior to this, Scott spent 22 years with the Cameco Group of companies, both in the Saskatchewan head office, and their U.S. subsidiaries. He most recently served as President of Cameco Inc., the subsidiary responsible for managing the company’s worldwide uranium marketing and trading activities (annual sales exceeding 30 million pounds U3O8 through established relationships with most global nuclear utilities).

He has served as Chair of the Board of Governors of the World Nuclear Fuel Market and is the current President of the Uranium Producers of America. He currently serves in an advisory role to the nuclear engineering graduate program at the Colorado School of Mines. Scott is a frequent speaker at international nuclear energy conferences and has testified on uranium matters before the International Trade Commission, U.S. Senate Energy & Natural Resources, and U.S. House Oversight Committees. He has represented the U.S. and Canadian Nuclear Energy Industries in various global trade missions, including India, China, Mexico, Japan, Czechia and the United Arab Emirates.

Scott received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with degree specialization in International Business from Arizona State University in 1984, and resides in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Update on TerraPower Kemmerer Project"

Mr. Chris Levesque President and CEO TerraPower

Scott Melbye is a 38-year veteran of the nuclear energy industry having held key leadership positions in major global uranium mining companies and various industry organizations. Scott is the Executive Vice President of Texas-based, Uranium Energy Corp (UEC). UEC has licensed uranium operations and

Chris Levesque is president and chief executive officer of TerraPower, and also serves as a member of the TerraPower Board. He was appointed to that position in November 2018 after having served as president of TerraPower since 2015. Levesque leads this nuclear innovation company in the pursuit of next-generation nuclear energy solutions and also oversees TerraPower’s new venture into therapeutic medical isotopes. His proven track record in scoping, planning and implementing complex projects began with his service in the U.S. Nuclear Navy and features more than 30 years of experience in the nuclear field.

“

and Nuclear Energy at the Intersection of National and Energy Security Good News For Wyoming"

Mr. Scott Melbye President, Uranium Producers of America

Prior to joining TerraPower, Levesque led major new reactor build efforts at both Westinghouse and AREVA, overseeing projects in both the U.S. and Finland. Before his assignment in Finland, he led the formation of AREVA’s joint venture with Newport News Shipbuilding, AREVA Newport News, for which he served as chairman of the Board and president.

Levesque has extensive experience with the nuclear industrial base and nuclear component manufacturing. Earlier in his career, Levesque served as the manager of engineering and manufacturing at Westinghouse’s Newington, New Hampshire, component manufacturing facility, and he has served in multiple management positions at two nuclear-capable shipyards. Levesque began his career as a nuclear submarine officer and served on both the USS Boise (SSN 764) and the USS Will Rogers (SSBN 659). On Boise, he supervised initial criticality and reactor startup testing, and qualified as chief engineer.

Levesque holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Master of Science in mechanical engineering and a Naval Engineer degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also serves on the Board of the Nuclear Energy Institute.

“ CK Gold Project: An Advanced Stage Gold and Copper Project in Laramie County

advancing projects in El Salvador and Nevada, he joined Andina Minerals as CEO in 2009. Andina and its 6 million-ounce Volcan Gold Project in Chile was acquired by Hochschild in 2013. By this time Mr. Bee had been appointed to the boards of Peregrine Metals and later Stillwater Mining and Jaguar Mining. In 2014, he also assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Mining, operating mines in Brazil, as the company emerged from a financial restructuring process.

Mr. Bee is a graduate of the Camborne School of Mines in Cornwall, United Kingdom and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors with an ICD.D designation.

“ IMCC: A Voice for State Mining Agencies "

Mr. Tom Clarke

Executive Director

Interstate Mining Compact Commission

George Bee is the president Tom Clarke has served as Executive Director of the Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC) since 2018. IMCC is an interstate governmental organization of

George Bee is the president and CEO of US Gold. He has an extensive career advancing world-class gold mining projects in eight countries on three continents for both major and junior mining companies. Most recently in 2018 Mr. Bee concluded a third term with Barrick Gold as Senior VP Frontera District in Chile and Argentina to advance Pascua Lama feasibility as an underground mine. This capped a 16-year history with Barrick Gold with positions that included Mine Manager at Goldstrike during early development and operations, Operations Manager at Pierina Mine taking Pierina from construction to operations, and General Manager of Veladero developing the project from advanced exploration through permitting, feasibility and into production.

With his Barrick experience and having had eight years in South Africa working underground gold with Anglo American and open pit copper with Rio Tinto at Palabora Mine, Mr. Bee was well placed to advance projects internationally and domestically as a senior executive. This led to his appointment to various board and leadership positions at various companies. As COO of Aurelian Resources in 2007, he was in charge of project development for Fruta del Norte in Ecuador until Aurelian was acquired by Kinross Gold in 2008. Post-acquisition, moving on from Kinross, where he had also previously worked from 1996 to 1998

26 states whose governors serve as its Commissioners. It serves as a liaison for state mining regulators and abandoned mine lands (AML) programs with Congress and various federal agencies, including the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Prior to joining IMCC, Mr. Clarke served the State of West Virginia as Senior Policy Advisor for emerging national issues for the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Director of the DEP’s mining division and Counsel to the mining division. Mr. Clarke has also served as counsel for two of the nation’s largest coal producers, Peabody Coal Company and Zeigler Coal Holding Company. He has degrees in law and mining engineering and has worked as an underground miner in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

"

Mr. George Bee President and CEO, US Gold

Development Issues

Mrs. Dana Pray President and CEO, Pray & Company

Dana Pray is a co-founder of P&C Recruiting and HR whose focus is on executive and technical recruiting as well as human resources support in the mining and green energy sectors – with 12 employees and dozens of clients located throughout the Americas.

Dana has over 15 years leadership experience in mining recruiting, and over 15 years in the accounting field within mining. She previously worked for one of the largest gold producers in the world where she was responsible for leading approximately 1500 c-suite, technical professional and skilled trades hires per year. D

ana holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. She is involved in several state mining trade associations as well as the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) and she engages with a variety of higher education institutions in support of career and workforce partnerships within the engineering and technical disciplines. Dana is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and she is a certified training for DISC personality and behavior assessing.

Dana is also involved in the ‘Pray for Life Foundation’ which was developed in memory of her son, Jeston Pray, supporting various aspects of organ transplantation. More information about this important cause can be found at www.prayforlife3.com.

“ Emerging Workforce Development Issues

Ms. Regina Turberville Sr. Engineer, Tata Chemicals

Regina Tuberville is a Senior Mine Engineer with over twenty years of experience working with a diverse population and 8 years of experience in the mining industry.

She Graduated from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Mineral Engineering. With her degree she received a strong foundation in science,

math, engineering science and basic engineering principles as well as fundamentals in applied engineering design concepts. She then focused on studies in the mechanics and control of earth materials; mineral explorations, evaluation, and economics; environmental issues; and the design and operation of surface and underground mines.

Following her collegiate studies Regina participated in Conscious Inclusion Training, Corporate Leadership Training and Green Belt. Regina was a representative on a Benefits Council where she communicated ways to improve benefits and roadblocks that were experienced with current benefits.

As a leader Regina has supervisory experience with both production and engineering departments. Having held an underground supervisory role where she supervised seventeen production employees and a Mine Engineering Superintendent role overseeing the mine engineering department staff of four as well as Acting Superintendent of the Capitol Engineering Group, consisting of nine staff at various levels in their careers. As part of her superintendent roles Regina was responsible for Capitol Project Management and reporting, as well as leading her teams to the safe and timely completion of all scheduled projects.

“ Emerging Workforce Development Issues "

Mr.

Grover Wallace President, Grover Wallace and Associates

Grover Wallace is a seasoned Human Resource and Leadership professional with over 38 years in all facets of the HR profession. Grover has worked predominantly in the mining sector with HR and Safety experience in Coal, Gold, Trona, Platinum/Palladium and contract drilling. He has worked in both underground and surface mines with vast experience in both union and non-union cultures. Grover has held senior HR and Safety leadership roles with Peter Kiewit Mining, Solvay, First Drilling, AngloGold Ashanti, Newmont and most recently Sibanye-Stillwater.

Grover is currently President and Owner of Grover Wallace and Associates Leadership and HR Resources, LLC. He provides Leadership coaching, Leadership development training, Supervisor training as well as a spectrum of HR advisory and consulting expertise.

Grover has held various volunteer roles in State and local Government groups to include Governor appointments for two terms of the Colorado Workforce Board, a lobbyist for the Trona mining Industry through the Wyoming Mining Association, Governor appointed Board member and Chairman on the Wyoming State Emergency Response Commission, Board member on the Sweetwater County LEPC, Chairman of the Wyoming Mining

Association Public Relations Committee as well as volunteer work with other city, hospital and local groups. For Montana he just finished serving his second term on the State Workforce Innovation Board (SWIB) and was also on the MonTECH Board, a non-profit which provides technology, support, and services that improve the quality of life for Montanans with disabilities.

Grover has a degree in Business Management from the University of Wyoming and an Associates of Arts Degree from Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs. He also holds his SPHR (Senior Professional Human Resource certificate) and level two certification in Spiral Dynamics. He also maintains his MSHA underground and surface mining instructor certification.

“ Emerging Workforce Development Issues "

Ms. Robin Cooley Director, Wyoming Department of Workforce Servicess

In March 2019, Governor Mark Gordon appointed Robin Sessions Cooley as Director of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. Previous to her current position, Ms. Cooley received gubernatorial appointments to the Wyoming State Board of Equalization (2015-2017) to hear and decide various mineral and property tax disputes and the Wyoming Public Service Commission (2017-2019) as a public utility regulator.

Before these appointments, Ms. Cooley enjoyed an 18-year career with the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, beginning in the Criminal Division in 1997, writing criminal appellate briefs and litigating state and federal post-conviction cases. She later became the Deputy Attorney General of the newly-formed Human Services Division, representing numerous state agencies, including the Department of Workforce Services, Department of Health, Department of Family Services, Department of Education, Department of Transportation, Community College Commission, and various State Boards. Ms. Cooley served as Special Counsel to Governor Mead from 2013 to 2014 and was in private practice in Cheyenne for five years before entering government service.

As an adjunct professor at Laramie County Community College, Ms. Cooley has also taught Business Law I and II and legal research and writing. She also taught Public Health Law as an adjunct professor at the University of Wyoming College of Law. Ms. Cooley plans to pursue her LLM in healthcare to expand her interest in healthcare law this fall.

Ms. Cooley has three college-age children, Rafer, Madison, and Dawson. Her husband of 30 years, Dan, owns an engineering business, GrizCreek Engineering, and a residential construction business, Cooley Construction, LLC.

Ms. Rhonda Zuraff

P&C Recruiting and HR

Rhonda Zuraff is a co-founder of P&C Recruiting and HR whose focus is on executive and technical recruiting as well as human resources support in the mining and green energy sectors – with 12 employees and dozens of clients located throughout the Americas. Rhonda has over 20 years’ experience in operational leadership roles for two public companies and she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with emphasis in Human Resources Management. Additionally, Rhonda has completed graduate-level studies in Human Resource Management.

Rhonda is on the board of the Advanced Battery Technology trade association promoting the upstream and downstream supply chain for lithium extraction and battery technology development in North America. She is also involved in several state mining trade associations as well as the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) and she engages with a variety of higher education institutions in support of career and workforce partnerships within the engineering and technical disciplines. She holds a Senior Certified Professional designation from the Society for Human Resource Management.

Mr. Dan Starks Founder and Chairman National Museum of Military Vehicles

Former President and CEO, St. Jude Medical

Dan Starks is the Founder and Chairman of the National Museum of Military Vehicles (NMMV), a $100 million, 140,000 square foot facility located 8 miles east of Dubois, WY. The museum houses Dan’s personal collection of 500 military vehicles and his collection of several hundred firearms, including the musket that fired the first shot at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The museum was recognized by USA Today as one of the 10 best new attractions in the U.S. in 2020. NMMV is 100% funded by the Starks family and is dedicated to (1) honoring the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families, (2) educating next generations on the history of American freedom, and (3) preserving and sharing historic military vehicles.

He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Abbott Laboratories, a NYSE Fortune 50 global health care company, and as as a member of the Board of Directors of the Army Historical Foundation. The AHF is dedicated to educating Americans about the sacrifices American Soldiers have made to safeguard the freedoms of this Nation and to supporting Army history educational programs as well as fundraising for the National Museum of the Army.

He is the Owner and Chairman of American Shooters in Las Vegas, NV. American Shooters provides firearms, shooting ranges, tactical equipment, uniforms, and training to first responders and segments of the civilian market in Nevada and some surrounding states.

Starks retired from St. Jude Medical (STJ) in 2017 after serving 32 years in the high tech, specialty cardiovascular medical device industry as a director and senior executive officer. Starks served as Chairman, President & CEO of STJ, a NYSE Fortune 500 company prior, to its purchase by Abbott Laboratories in January 2017. He also enjoys being a cattle and bison rancher in the Dubois area of Wyoming.

DATE

SCAN THIS CODE FOR THE MINING CLAIM ONLINE!

SAVE THE DATE

Featuring:

• Nationally Recognized Safety Speakers from NIOSH, MSHA, OSHA, DEA, FBI and others!

• Keynote Speaker: Sylvia Marusyk - “Respectfully, Up Yours!”

• 5th Annual Miner’s Dinner – Sept. 14

Sponsorships Available!

DEQ RECLAMATION AWARDS

AWARDS IN RECLAMATION

DEQ AWARDS ANNUAL COAL RECLAMATION AWARD TO COAL CREEK MINE

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently awarded the 2022 Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award for coal to Thunder Basin Coal Company for reclamation work at three of four open pits at the Coal Creek Mine in 2021. DEQ presents the Excellence in Mining Reclamation Awards to Wyoming coal and noncoal mine operators who demonstrate an achievement in a specific aspect of mine reclamation or for overall performance in meeting reclamation goals.

A statement from Thunder Basin Coal Company said, “Thunder Basin Coal Company is honored to receive the 2022 Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award for Coal Creek Mine. The award reflects the company’s efforts and commitment to re-establishing a thriving post-mine environment.”

Thunder Basin Coal Company managers relocated equipment and personnel from an adjacent mine, Black Thunder, to the Coal Creek Mine to focus on reclamation. They expanded crew sizes and adjusted schedules to accommodate 24-hour reclamation work.

Matt Kunze, DEQ natural resources program supervisor, said, “Thunder Basin Coal Company successfully demonstrated the ability to shift and prioritize resources at their larger mine to focus on reclamation at their adjacent mine during a period of decreased market demand.”

The Coal Creek Mine encompasses 9,405 acres in the Powder River Basin south of Gillette. During this time, Thunder Basin Coal Company workers backfilled and graded approximately 2,000 acres.

Final material placement during 2021 totaled 22.4 million yards, which will reduce the outstanding bond liability for the mine. For the first time in the mine’s history, the amount of backfilled and graded acres exceeds the active mining acres.

The Thunder Basin Coal Company statement said, “The project was an important step in managing a responsible footprint throughout recent challenging and dynamic market conditions.”

To date, 98% of the Coal Creek Mine’s existing permanent reclamation has gone through a minimum of Phase I bond release. Topsoil placement and seeding are estimated to be completed by the end of 2022.

Kunze said, “Once final reclamation is completed, the outcome of the reclamation work started in 2021 will more than double the amount of permanent reclamation at the mine, helping to achiever the post-mine land use of livestock grazing and wildlife habitat.”

DEQ AWARDS ANNUAL NON - COAL RECLAMATION AWARD TO COLONY MINE

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently awarded the 2022 Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award for non-coal to Halliburton Bentonite Performance Minerals (BPM) for the voluntary reclamation of an abandoned mine site adjacent to the Colony Mine.

DEQ presents the Excellence in Mining Reclamation Awards to Wyoming coal and noncoal mine operators who demonstrate an achievement in a specific aspect of mine reclamation or for overall performance in meeting reclamation goals.

Jennifer Hartman, environmental specialist from BPM, said, “It’s an honor to receive a 2022 Reclamation Award from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. At Halliburton BPM, we strive to be good stewards of the land and wildlife, and our reclamation work to create functional grazing land for local landowners is a rewarding part of what we do here.”

BPM voluntarily conducted reclamation work at the pre-law Miller Read 20 site. “Pre-law” means the site was disturbed before the Open Cut Land Reclamation Act of 1969 required mine operators to backfill open mine sites.

The Miller Read 20 site was left un-reclaimed for several decades. Livestock grazing and wildlife uses at the site were limited because the site didn’t have topsoil for natural reseeding and because of erosion caused by the lack of ground cover.

BPM’s permitted bentonite mining and reclamation operations are adjacent to the Miller Read 20 site. The mine permit area encompasses 19,926 acres and is located in Crook County in northeastern Wyoming.

BPM began reclamation work on the Miller Read 20 site in 2010 after the company advanced its mining pits and subsequently reclaimed them along the west side of the pre-law area.

BPM contoured and placed topsoil on the former highwall and surrounding area. Topsoil often was not salvaged at pre-law mining sites, making reclamation difficult. BPM used additional soil resources and suitable overburden material from the Colony Mine to accomplish the reclamation at the Miller Read 20 site.

BPM first began seeding the site in 2013 and seeded the final portion in 2021. The company used a native seed mix along with a rye cover crop. The rye crop helps stabilize the soil and capture moisture, enhancing survival of the native species.

Matt Kunze, DEQ natural resources program supervisor, said, “BPM is commended for conducting this pre-law reclamation voluntarily as the mine performed reclamation on adjacent mined areas. The end result is that both the current mine and pre-law areas have been reclaimed together to restore them to be functional for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat.”

WMA AWARDS ACHIEVEMENT IN 2022

2022 PECK COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Mr. Dave Collins

Navajo Transitional Energy Company’s Antelope Mine

The 2022 winner of the Peck Community Achievement Award is Dave Collins of the Navajo Transitional Energy Company’s Antelope Mine. As a result of a tragic auto accident that claimed the life of their 3-year-old son, David, Dave and his wife Kristina started a local chapter of Compassionate Friends, a global non-profit organization that provides a support network for families who’ve lost a child.

Having experienced first-hand the support and help from the organization, the Collins’ decided to reach out and help those in dealing with the tremendous grief they had experience. The Compassionate Friends from the Bighorns to the Black Hills provides support to families not only in the Gillette community, but the surrounding region. Dave and Kristina are just a phone call away, no matter the time, checking in on the family, offering a patient ear or a helping hand. Often, they visit the families in person, and no distance is too far to travel.

Dave has fought fires for the Forest Service, and his work with Compassionate Friends reminds him of that. “Always be ready,” he says. “You’ve got to be ready to jump into action.”

The Collins’ are motivated by strong faith. “It’s nothing more than this is what Jesus would tell us to do. Take care of one another,” Dave says.

Dave joins a long list of past Peck Award recipients who selflessly give their time and effort to make their operations and communities better. The Wyoming Mining Association is honored to present the 2022 Peck Community Achievement Award to Mr. Dave Collins.

SALESMAN OF THE YEAR

EQUIPMENT SALESMAN

Chad Mills

Komatsu

MATERIAL AND SUPPLY SALESMAN

Chris Wrenn

DTS Fluid Power

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Dale Brown

WWC Engineering

SAFETY AWARDS 2021

WYOMING MINING ASSOCIATION AND MINING ASSOCIATES

MAW 2021 AWARDS

LARGE CATEGORY CONTRACTORS with greater than 75,000 hours reported in 2021.

• 1st Place - GK Construction

2 consecutive years without an LTA | 1,436,507 acm. hours

• 2nd Place – Wyoming Machinery

1 year without an LTA | 97,089 acm. hours

MEDIUM CATEGORY CONTRACTORS with 25,000 to 75,000 reported hours in 2021. • 1st Place - Komatsu Mining Corp. (formerly Joy Global)

9 consecutive years without an LTA | 1,448,076 acm. hours

• 2nd Place – L&H Industrial Inc.

12 consecutive years without an LTA | 931,117 acm. hours

• 3rd Place – Arnold Machinery Company

4 consecutive years without an LTA | 114,259 acm.hours

SMALL CATEGORY CONTRACTORS with less than 25,000 reported hours in 2021.

1st Place - FireMaster

9 consecutive years without an LTA | 234,477 acm. hours • 2nd Place – Epiroc USA, LLC

4 consecutive years without an LTA | 80,100 acm. hours

• 3rd Place – Collins Communication

3 consecutive years without an LTA | 5,025 acm.hours

2021 ASSOCIATES OF WYOMING

WMA 2021 AWARDS

SURFACE MINE – LARGE CATEGORY

1st Place – Navajo Transitional Energy Company - Cordero Rojo Mine

2nd Place – Navajo Transitional Energy Company – Antelope Mine

3rd Place – Peabody Powder River Mining, LLC – North Antelope Rochelle Mine

SURFACE MINE – SMALL CATEGORY

1st Place – Peabody Caballo Coal, LLC – Caballo Mine

2nd Place – Eagle Specialty Materials, LLC – Eagle Butte Mine

3rd Place – Buckskin Mining Company – Buckskin Mine

SURFACE MINE – NON-COAL LARGE CATEGORY

1st Place – Bentonite Performance Minerals, LLC – BPM Colony Mill

2nd Place – Bentonite Performance Minerals, LLC – BPM Lovell Mill

3rd Place – Bentonite Performance Minerals, LLC – BPM Colony Mine

SURFACE MINE – NON-COAL SMALL CATEGORY

1st Place – American Colloid Company - Colony West Mill

2nd Place – Black Hills Bentonite – Mills Plant

3rd Place – Wyo-Ben, Inc. – Sage Creek Mill

UNDERGROUND MINE – LARGE CATEGORY

1st Place – Sisecam Wyoming, LLC – Big Island Mine & Refinery

2nd Place – Solvay Chemicals, Inc. – Solvay Chemicals Mine

UNDERGROUND MINE – SMALL CATEGORY

1st Place – Bridger Coal Company - Bridger Coal Underground Mine

2021 WMA SAFE SAM AWARD:

Navajo Transitional Energy Company - Cordero Rojo Mine.

URANIUM AWARDS

WYOMING URANIUM SAFETY WINNERS

1ST PLACE

Cameco Resources

2ND PLACE

Strata Energy

3RD PLACE

Uranium Energy Corporation

MINING ASSOCIATES

MINING ASSOCIATES OF WYOMING

A Division of the Wyoming Mining Association

2021-2022

OFFICERS

Traci Lacock | Vice President

Hirst Applegate

Steve Salter | Vice President

Dyno Nobel, Inc

Cody Harrod | Treasurer

Komatsu Mining Corp. Group

Keegan Rogers | Secretary

L&H Industrial

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Travis Deti

Wyoming Mining Association

Mike Curtis Nelson Brothers

Cory Wasson

Liebherr USA

Dale Brown

WWC Engineering

Crystal Volk

SLS West

Dean Stephenson Brake Supply

Lincoln Klemola

Liebherr USA

Mike Schutt Epiroc

Randy Quig

Wyoming Machinery

LETTER FROM THE MAW PRESIDENT

It has been an honor to serve as your MAW Board President this past year and the past seven years on the MAW Board of Directors. During my time on the board, I have enjoyed getting to meet and become friends with great mining industry leaders.

The Board appreciates the companies who serve as MAW members. MAW members are given exclusive opportunities to attend special events, meet with companies, and receive recognition for servicing and supporting Wyoming mining. MAW and its members are committed to Wyoming mining and supporting a sustainable future for the mining industry. Approximately 2/3 of all Member’s annual dues go directly to the Wyoming Mining Association. These funds support WMA’s operational needs, legislative outreach, regulatory outreach, advertising, safety, and educational efforts.

BY: TRACI LACOCK

I would also like to encourage MAW members to consider serving on the MAW Board. It is a great way to get connected and serve the mining industry.

Hirst Applegate

MAW President - 2021-22

ASSOCIATES OF WYOMING

We’ve been the strong right arm of the Wyoming mining industry for over 30 years! We, the service & supply companies, support the Wyoming Mining Association. Thanks to the skilled, dedicated people, equipped with the best machines, tools and techniques on earth, Wyoming mining continues to be safe, strong and vital.

THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS, WE’RE HELPING TO KEEP IT THAT WAY!

MEMBERS

All State Fire Equipment

Austin Engineering

Barr Engineering Co

Big Horn Tire

Blakeman Propane

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Brake Supply Company

Brooks & Nelson, LLC

Buckley Powder

Burron Firm PC

Campbell County Economic Development Corp

Casper Well Products

Collins Communications

Crowley Fleck

Disa, LLC

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Dyno Nobel

Eagle Uniform and Supply

Energy Labs

Energy Policy Network

Equitable Oil Purchasing

FireMaster

Fuchs Lubricants Co.

GK Construction Inc.

Great Plains Wildlife Consulting

HDR Engineering, Inc

Hirst Applegate

Holland and Hart

Hydro Engineering, LLC

Industrial Lubricant Co

Infineum USA LP

Interstate Power Systems

Komatsu

L&H Industrial Inc

Liebherr

Little America

MG Oil Company

Nelson Brothers Mining Services LLC

North Star LLC

Northern Engine and Supply

Inc

Oftedal Construction Inc

Pace Analytical Services

Powder River Energy Corp

Rocky Mtn Brake

Rocky Mtn Recycling

SKV LLC

SkySkopes

SLS West Inc

Turner Mining Group

United Central Industrial Supply

Water & Environmental Technologies

Wheeler Machinery Co.

WWC Engineering

Wyoming Machinery Company

Wyoming Miners Hospital Board

Wyoming Taxpayers Asso.

GIVE IT BACK TO THE STATES

BY: PHIL DINSMOOR

Quality Act and created the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to regulate the natural resources of the state including the mining of coal and other minerals in the early 1970s. The State anticipated the emergence of large-scale mining and planned to avoid some of the environmental degradation experienced in the eastern states.

Wyoming and other western states.

Coal became a valuable commodity in North America before recorded history when native tribes burned it to bake their pottery. Commercial coal production began in the eastern part of the continent in the mid-1700s and moved into the interior a century later. Commercial coal mining was first recorded in Wyoming and other western states in the 1860s to provide fuel for the railroads.

Regulation of the environmental effects of mining was discussed and voluntarily implemented in Indiana and perhaps other Midwest states in the early part of the 20th century. However, it was after World War I that the legislatures of West Virginia, Indiana and Ohio passed some of the first laws regulating the environmental effects of coal mining. By then, the sins of our mining forefathers were widespread in Appalachia and historical mining areas in the central United States including Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. Many mine sites were abandoned, pits were left open and properties were left ungraded and barren. These sterile sites contributed then and now, to erosion, water and air pollution. In addition to the environmental degradation, mine sites were dangerous to human health and welfare and of little value to the private owners of these properties.

Widespread mining in the western United States began to appear in the late 1960s in response to increasing electrical demand in the country. The 1973 Arab oil embargo solidified the future of western coal mining when the federal government encouraged United States energy independence after having leased some of the first large tracts of western coal properties to mining firms. Wyoming enacted the Wyoming Environmental

At about the same time, the federal government began discussions of a national law to regulate the effects of coal mining on the environment. It was not until 1977 that the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) became federal law. SMCRA drew heavily from many of the 38 then-existing state regulatory programs. But environmental conditions at mines across this country can be as different as night and day. So too, were the state laws that had been enacted to regulate mining. Therein lies one of the most significant problems with this first nationwide regulatory effort. Applying provisions from state laws in regions of significantly different environmental conditions is like trying to fix an American-made automobile with metric tools.

Differences among the states may be physical or environmental. The surface terrain may range from mountainous to flat-land or river-valley conditions. The near-tropical climate of the nation’s southeast states is far different from the almost-polar conditions found at Alaska’s coal properties. High altitude mines in Colorado have very different obstacles than the lowland mines in the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys. Each of these specific environmental conditions requires different strategies to properly and adequately control the negative effects of mining.

One of the many provisions of SMCRA is the opportunity for states to set up their own programs and apply for “primacy” to regulate coal mining within their borders. This is based on the finding of Section 101 of SMCRA. That section acknowledged that states should be encouraged to take primacy in the regulation of coal mining because of the tremendous natural variability in physical and environmental conditions.

It took Wyoming approximately three years to revise its mining statute and regulations as well as administrative procedures, and prepare the necessary justification to obtain primacy. But after approval of the state program in 1980, the federal agency retained a significant permitting and compliance role in Wyoming. Duplication, not primacy, was the practice for a number of years. Even today, the duplication persists mostly on federal lands which host the majority of mines in

SMCRA specifically reserves to the Secretary of Interior the obligation to approve mining plans on federal lands. (More than 48% of the surface estate and 70% of the mineral estate in Wyoming are owned by the federal government. These are considered federal lands.) Therefore, virtually all coal mines in Wyoming are subject to dual regulation from the federal and state governments. The federal agency has backed off of this dual regulation in some ways in Wyoming. However, they continue to expend staff time and funds to conduct reviews of application documents that duplicate the efforts of the state, instead of relying on the DEQ’s review in order to proffer their non-delegable approval. This unwarranted duplication has and continues to frustrate the industry and the state government, to add significant delays to the regulatory process, and to cost taxpayers unnecessary expense.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, (OSMRE) proposes to have approximately 500 federal employees and an estimated budget of $155 million to implement the nationwide regulatory program for the coming fiscal year. A large portion of this funding is associated with a technical staff whose job is to oversee the 500 pages of regulations including more than 200 pages of permitting and on-the-ground performance standards. Their jobs also involve reviewing state agency regulations to ensure they are no less stringent than the applicable federal regulations. Over the 45-year history of SMCRA, taxpayers have paid nearly $7 billion to fund OSMRE.

This is not a huge expense on an annual basis compared to other federal programs. But how many duplicative programs like this does it take to reach a “significant” expenditure?

A major reason for this expensive duplicative effort is the extensive set of federal regulations. It would seem that the regulations promulgated to implement a federal law that purports to encourage and support state primacy would be minimal, setting broad standards for the state programs to achieve. Moreover, the variability in mining conditions mentioned above, as well as the variable nature of mining methods themselves would suggest that nationwide standards would be general and high level, leaving detail to the individual states. This program should be an example of the practice of federalism.

But this is clearly not the case, and the coal industry may share in the blame. Between 1965

and 1980, environmental regulation at the federal and state levels gained considerable momentum. Because of their past sins in the eastern and midwestern states, the coal industry was an easily-justified target for regulatory burdens. This was true despite increased emphasis that was being placed on energy independence. In hindsight, perhaps the development of the federal regulatory program also reflected the fact that few resource-based industries had ever been regulated with a nationwide program. The public and the growing environmental consciousness were going to ensure the federal government got this right.

The ideal solution to this duplicative and poorly focused regulatory environment is to reduce the scope of the federal law and regulations. The program, in its simplest form, should involve regulation by the state agency or the federal agency, but not both. When the federal agency has a non-delegable obligation, they should rely on any state reviews, data-gathering, or actions to support their decisions. When the state is deficient in their implementation of primacy in the program, then the federal agency should take action to correct the situation or take over regulation in that state. By eliminating all redundant actions, the federal expenditure can be reduced to the necessary oversight and those narrowly defined non-delegable actions.

It is unlikely, now, that reducing the federal effort would spur significant changes in the state programs. After 40 years most states have developed processes and procedures that work despite the duplication. We might expect to see some tailoring to revise or remove unnecessary and ill-fitting federal requirements. We might also expect to see changes to some of the administrative requirements that came from federal involvement.

Reducing the scope and involvement of the federal program in Wyoming is unlikely to occur. The effort could be expected to garner vocal opposition from environmental organizations. In addition to claims of gutting environmental legislation, the supporters of federal involvement are likely to suggest that those states like Wyoming that are highly dependent upon the resource-based extractive industry cannot maintain the proper or necessary impartiality that is necessary for a regulator. This was one of the primary justifications for passage of SMCRA and establishing the federal agency over 40 years ago.

The history of the Wyoming regulatory program shows there is little validity to this claim. Relationships between the state regulator and the regulated community in Wyoming have been, at times contentious, such as when self-bonding rules were significantly tightened in recent years. For most of the past 45 years however, the relationship between the state and the industry has been guardedly amicable and productive for two major reasons.

First, in a state favoring limited government such as Wyoming, the establishment of a state regulatory agency such as the DEQ to regulate mining was initially seen as infringement on private rights in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Enter the federal government and its burgeoning regulatory oversight program a decade later, and OSMRE became the intruder and the violator of private rights. DEQ was viewed in a more positive light.

Secondly, large-scale coal mining in the west was a new activity in the 1960s and 1970s. At least some of the mining companies were demonstrating that they could avoid making the mistakes of the past, operating in a more responsible manner in the western states including Wyoming. Coal production exploded in Wyoming, reaching more than 400 million tons per year after 2010. During this same time, the development of world-class mining techniques and equipment put Wyoming on the mining forefront. Huge mining equipment was developed, tested and proven in Wyoming. Blasting techniques were refined until blasting became a primary method of moving earthen materials, not just breaking up the material for large mining equipment to move. Equally as important, world-class environmental protection and mine reclamation techniques and practices were being developed, tested and proven. Today, coal mines in Wyoming can boast that they have been on the leading edge of many of the most highly successful reclamation practices. And for this to happen, it was necessary for the regulatory agency to be in lockstep with that effort, perhaps even leading the way at times.

The Wyoming DEQ was open to advances in reclamation techniques, equipment and many environmental protection methods that helped establish successful environmental protection and mine reclamation practices. Examples range from the first highly successful methods for large-scale establishment of sagebrush and other shrubs vital to wildlife habitat reclamation, to advances in finding suitable substitutes for the often-absent topsoil resource that is vital to establishment of vegetation. Some of the world’s most effective strategies for controlling fugitive dust from crushing and coal handling facilities were developed in Wyoming with full cooperation of the Wyoming DEQ. And as mentioned, the success of mined land reclamation in Wyoming in creating a viable and highly productive land use after mining cannot be rivaled anywhere in the world.

I conclude that reducing the size of the federal bureaucracy should be pursued. It has taken 45 years, but the western states, especially Wyoming, have made the case that state primacy can work and that a less adversarial relationship, if properly monitored, can be more productive and successful than the heavy-handed, inefficient over-regulation introduced by the federal government. Minimal federal oversight and involvement is needed. Instead of the states simply becoming clones of a federal bureaucracy, a state with an economy that is so highly dependent on resource extraction can function reliably and responsibly with so much at stake.

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