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.