The Mining Claim 2023

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1401 Airport Parkway, Ste. 230 | Cheyenne, WY 82001

Phone: 307-635-0331

www.wyomingmining.org

2022-23 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

Bernard Bonifas | President Energy Fuels

Shane Durgin | Vice President

Kemmerer Mine

Mike Thomas | Secretary/Treasurer

Black Hills Bentonite DIRECTORS

Matthew Nugen Peabody

Christian Palich Eagle Specialty Materials

Scott Schierman Uranium Energy Corporation

Craig Rood Sisecam

Marc Ostrem Wyodak Resources

Aaron Reichl Genesis Alkali

Tyler Tetrault Bentonite Performance Minerals

Keegan Rogers Dyno Nobel

Keith Williams Arch Resources

Matthew Adams NTEC

STAFF

Travis Deti | Executive Director

Pat Joyce | Assistant Director

Heidi Peterson | Membership & Retention

THE MINING CLAIM

Voice of the Wyoming Mining Association

June 2023 © | Volume 49, 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 Moxie Marketing of the Midwest, LLC.........Layout/Design/Sales

The 2023 Mining Claim | 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS About the WMA ............................................................................................... 4 Governor’s Letter ........................................................................................... 6 Executive Director | Travis Deti ........................................................... 7 Wyoming Remains the Vital Lifeblood | Bernard Bonifas, WMA President ....................................................... 9 Education to Energy | Pat Joyce, WMA Assistant Director.... .................................................................................................................................. 10 2023 Legislative Update A House Perspective | Wyoming House Distric 19 Representative, Jon Conrad ... 13 67th Annual Convention Agenda.............................................. 22-23 2023 Convention Speakers ............................................................19-25 The Reclamation of the Dave Johnston Mine | Kimberly Mazza ........................................................................................ 28-31 2023 Achievement Awards ...........................................................32-33 2022 Safety Awards ........................................................................... 36-37 Letter From the MAW President | Keegan Rogers ....................... 40 Advertisers Index........................................................................................ 42 We’ve Got All Your Marketing Needs COVERED! Print & Digital Graphic Design | Web Design & Hosting | Publication Design/Layout | Outsourced Marketing | Brand Consulting 605-568-0181 | kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com | MoxieMarketingMW.com

WYOMING MINERS - LINKED TOGETHER - LINKED TO AMERICA MINING ASSOCIATION ABOUT THE WYOMING

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.

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MEETING TODAY’S CHALLENGES

Basketball great Michael Jordan once said, “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it or work around it.” Over this past year Wyoming’s mining industry certainly saw its share of obstacles. Whether continued difficult market and economic conditions, regulatory pressure or abysmal rail service, the challenges to producers remained ever present.

Yet, through all this, Wyoming’s miners continued to press on and meet the challenges directly to produce the resources all Americans rely on daily, provide jobs to hard working men and women and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for state and local governments. In short, our industry supports Wyoming and the American way of life.

Wyoming coal producers had another good year as a cold winter and high natural gas prices significantly increased our energy market competitiveness and demand. Unfortunately, poor railroad performance and service meant tens of millions of tons lost that could have been mined and sold. With tens of millions of dollars in potential revenue that never came to fruition, our operators saw significant frustration. Even so, Wyoming mines were able to increase production over the previous year, adding a good number of jobs.

Our trona and natural soda ash producers turned in another strong year, but were also hampered by unreliable rail service. Wyoming’s trona miners continue to move forward on significant expansion projects, including solution mining operations to develop the resource with the next generation of safe, environmentally friendly technology that will position the industry well in the future.

Bentonite production remains steady. Market for pet litter is resilient and strong, and Wyoming bentonite miners are staying busy. But, along with other sectors, producers have been hamstrung by subpar rail service.

There’s room for optimism in the uranium sector. As events in Europe have unfolded this past year, national leaders have recognized the dire consequences of overreliance on geopolitical adversaries for critical fuel sources. There is a renewed focus on rebuilding a vital nuclear industry in the United States, to include new reactor technology like the TerraPower project in Kemmerer. No doubt achieving this will be challenging. But there are also emerging opportunities for domestic uranium recovery in Wyoming, and our operators are preparing to restart production.

Along these same lines, Wyoming’s nascent rare earths industry continue to move forward and grow with projects on the state’s eastern side. Again, in recognition of our national overreliance on others, the opportunities to build a domestic industry from the ground up have never been greater.

We are also seeing the development of gold resources move forward in a number of regions around the state.

While the mining industry overall had a relatively good year, significant challenges in the near future must be acknowledged. The current presidential administration continues unabated in its regulatory push to eliminate fossil fuels from the American energy mix. If allowed to continue, the Biden regulatory regimen will drive entire industry sectors out of business. This matters not just for our Wyoming-based operators, but for all Americans. The misguided effort by the president and his allies will force high, unaffordable energy costs on everyone while continuing to degrade reliability in electrical grids across the nation. Call me crazy, but I don’t think regular citizens enjoy higher energy costs in a time of high inflation for their families. They also deserve services they can count on.

Federal legislation spending billions of dollars to prop up unreliable energy at

taxpayer expense is skewing energy markets and adding more pressure to already difficult and uncertain market conditions.

As mining companies look for access to capital, the use of environmental, social and governmental (ESG) standards and investing are a growing threat for the mining industry, and with fossil fuel companies in particular.

Supply chain and hiring issues, along with significant inflation in operating costs, continue to be problems for the industry.

All of these are very real obstacles and challenges for Wyoming mining today. As we come together in Sheridan, we’ll take a look at them and discuss how to discuss ways to climb them, work through them or get around them to continue to be successful.

In the end, regardless, the fact remains that America is reliant on the Wyoming mining industry. These obstacles won’t stop us and we will not turn around and give up. Working together we will meet these challenges head on like we always have. We will continue to be successful.

Welcome to beautiful Sheridan, Wyoming and the 67th Annual Convention of the Wyoming Mining Association!

The 2023 Mining Claim | 7 www.wyomingmining.org
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MINING REMAINS THE VITAL LIFEBLOOD

Wyoming’s mining industry is no stranger to market changes. As the mainstream dialogue continues to move in a so-called “green” direction, the ground truth hasn’t changed: Mining remains the vital lifeblood of our society and the luxuries we enjoy.

The truth is our mining operations are focused on sound environmental practices, cultural respect, and the protection of waters and natural ecosystems. No project gets approved without heavy environmental operating safeguards in place and bonded reclamation plans. We live in the same communities where we mine the bounty of the earth. As such, it is not only our duty, but also in our best interests to protect the natural environment bestowed upon us. We strive to leave a mine-site in better condition than we found it; ask any reclamation manager pulling their hair out to ensure the correct native grasses are growing next to sage-grouse nests. The country and the world need Wyoming mining.

• Who would have thought that cat urine would be the savior of bentonite during the COVID oil & gas drilling downturn? The furry felines adopted by locked-down big-city folk needed fresh kitty-litter.

• While the feds and many state governments try their darndest to kill coal, Wyoming’s “carbon ore” industry is resilient and remains steadfast. When the Texas natural gas pipelines froze along with the wind turbines in February 2021, savvy people knew this could have been avoided with boxcars filled with Wyoming Sub-bituminous coal feeding powerplants.

• With the country’s newest nuclear power plant planned to be built in Wyoming, the uranium mining industry has received a breath of fresh air. Though enrichment supply chain details are still to-be-determined, Wyoming’s uranium industry has garnered national attention and has enjoyed the price increase that comes with it.

• Trona remains the indispensable mineral, selling like hotcakes so the world can use soda ash in their glass. Every time someone around the globe clinks their glass and says “Cheers”, they should really be saying “Trona!”

• Rare Earths . . . as it turns out, aren’t so rare. And yet China maintains a stranglehold on the market and supply chain. With a new company leading the Rare Earth Processing and Separation Demonstration Project in Upton, WY, the future looks bright for these strategic elements as they look to reduce our nation’s dependence on China.

• Wyoming Gold: It’s no fool’s errand. With a new mine in Southeastern Wyoming awaiting their permit from the WDEQ, everyone’s eyes are on the spot price, currently near historical highs, hovering above $2,000/oz.

Wyoming mining is here to stay, its brightest days are ahead of us, and we should remind the world that it needs us, and that we’re happy to sell to them.

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EDUCATION TO ENERGY

Today in Wyoming the mining industry still prevails as the lead industry for jobs, state and local tax revenue and pride in our State. We plan every day to secure and maintain Wyoming mining for the next generations.

No matter where you were born on the planet you are a recipient of a mineral made in and mined in Wyoming. It might be your beer mug or windows, your electrical power running your whatever, your cosmetics or cat litter, or your lifesaving medical equipment. The mineral may be co-mingled during manufacturing with minerals from elsewhere on this planet, but nonthe-less, odds are your comfort or security likely started here in Wyoming.

build those relationships that make that legacy possible. One of those relationships is with the educators of our future workforce. In past discussions in this arena, I have surprisingly been caught off guard by some comments from educators about mining. Imagine my surprise when several guidance counselors confidently told me they don’t recommend their students look at a career in mining because the “mines are dangerous, dirty and they don’t pay will.” Clearly, our story needs further “reach and repeat”. That’s my job. You keep doing what you do and I’ll gas up the WMA car and spread the word further and more often. And from time to time when I need “expert advice” I will be calling on those of you who “keep the lights on and the cats happy”.

Thank you for mining.

At the WMA office in Cheyenne no two days look alike. It’s likely I can jump from planning a safety conference, to writing a column, to giving a heads up to the environmental folks at the mines about the latest sage grouse mapping, to running off to Zoom with the statewide educators to let them know, yes, the mines are hiring, and yes, we do need their skilled graduates. AND, yes, we do pay well. Very well in fact.

Speaking of hiring people, according to recent data from the Wyoming Workforce Services Research and Planning Department, “mining had the highest average weekly wage of all Wyoming industries in 2022Q3 ($1,931 compared to $1,083 across all industries). High wages in mining have remained constant over the last decade.”

They went on to say, “The manufacturing sector (NAICS 31- 33) is comprised of nearly 20 subsectors In Wyoming, the subsectors with the highest average monthly employment in 2022Q3 were fabricated metal product manufacturing (1,797), chemical manufacturing (1,763), and petroleum & coal products manufacturing (1,041). Many of the manufacturing subsectors directly support Wyoming’s mining industry.” (Workforce Services Research and Planning)

We can run the mines, just not without people. With skills. And attitude. And Pride.

And just as we know the members of WMA and MAW will always have the responsibility of maintaining the legacy of mining in Wyoming, we all have the responsibility to maintain and

BENTONITE

American Colloid Company

Bentonite Performance

Minerals

Black Hills Bentonite

M-I SWACO

Tolsa Wyoming Bentonite

WyoBen

COAL

Arch Resources

Black Butte Coal Co

Black Hills Lignite

Bridger Coal Co

Eagle Specialty Materials

Kemmerer Operations

Kiewitt-Buckskin Mining Co

Navajo Transitional Energy Co

Peabody

Ramaco

Western Fuels

Wyodak Resources

TRONA

Genesis Alkali

Pacific Soda

Project West

Sisecam

Solvay Chemicals

Tata Chemicals

URANIUM

Cameco Resources

enCore Energy

Energy Fuels

Kennecott Uranium

Strata Energy

Uranium Energy Corp

Ur-Energy USA

RARE EARTH / GOLD

Rare Element Resources

US Gold

American Rare Earths

10 | The 2023 Mining Claim www.wyomingmining.org

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The 2023 Mining Claim | 11 www.wyomingmining.org
12 | The 2023 Mining Claim www.wyomingmining.org

2023 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: A HOUSE PERSPECTIVE

As we welcome the opportunity to meet this year during this 2023 WMA Annual Convention in such a wonderful setting, we acknowledge the legislative session has ended. Numerically, 497 total bills/files were considered this year in the House & Senate. 196 Bills, or 35% of bills, passed the House and Senate and 178 Bills/Files have become law.

1. Let’s review several significant legislative actions that impact our industry and became law.

HB0061 - Source material associated with mining-agreement. This act authorizes the Governor to negotiate on behalf of the state of Wyoming with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the state to assume primary regulatory authority over source material (generally, uranium or thorium) recovered from any mineral resources processed primarily for purposes other than obtaining the source material.

If an agreement between the state and the NRC is completed, the state would assume regulatory primacy over the source material recovered from mineral resource processing. Then, under state law, the Department of Environmental Quality would be authorized to issue (or suspend and revoke) licenses for the possession and use of source material recovered from mineral resources.

The act requires the Department of Environmental Quality to adopt a fee structure for licenses for source material recovered from mineral resources and to promulgate rules for the regulation of this source material.

SF0078 - Apprenticeship and job training promotion in schools. This act requires the Department of Workforce Services (the Department) to provide information and guidance to school districts regarding registered apprenticeship programs, on-the-job training and student learner agreements that are available to secondary students in Wyoming for credit, pay or both, including the rights and responsibilities of school districts, employers and students participating in the programs and available financial assistance. This act establishes new duties for school districts to disseminate the information provided by the Department to students and to establish procedures to provide school credit to those students who participate in apprenticeship programs, on-the job training or student learner agreements.

HB0069 - Coal-fired facility closures litigation funding-amendments. This act amends 2021 Wyoming Session Laws, Chapter 112 which appropriated funds to the office of the governor for purposes of commencing and prosecuting lawsuits against other states who enacted laws or regulations that impeded Wyoming’s ability to export coal.

This act expands the purposes for using previously appropriated funds by allowing the governor to intervene and defend in the lawsuits against these actors.

This act expands who the lawsuits may be against to include the federal government and its agencies, local governments and third parties including a corporation, partnership or other unincorporated association.

This act expands the subject matter of the lawsuits. The lawsuits may involve federal, state or local laws or regulations that result in the decreased use of Wyoming coal or the closure of coal-fired electric generation facilities that use Wyoming coal.

2. Bills that did not get reach consensus nor became law,

HB0088 - Foreign ownership of agricultural land-prohibited and HB0116 - Prohibiting foreign property ownership in Wyoming. Both of these bills attempted to restrict foreign owners/citizen from ownership (ex. Russia, China or Any country that has been designated as a state sponsor of terrorism under federal law. No foreign government, foreign business or foreign person, or any agent, trustee or fiduciary thereof, shall purchase or otherwise acquire land in Wyoming except for use as a personal residence and not to exceed one (1) acre.)

Both of these carry with a number of issues including constitutionality, governance and enforcement. It is extremely likely that these bills will reappear soon in some form.

HB0153 - Worker’s compensation competitive coverage. An Act relating to worker’s compensation; requiring worker’s compensation coverage premiums and rates to be competitive with nationwide coverage premiums and rates; requiring reporting; and providing for effective dates.

3. Bills that passed but with huge amendments that did not achieve the desired impact,

HB0065 - 988 suicide prevention. This bill proposed during setting up a $46 million trust fund to permanently support the call centers in Wyoming. Extremely disappointingly, all of the funding was removed from the trust fund in the State House on Jan. 20 and we were left with only a trust fund with zero funding.

Wyoming has the highest suicide rate in the nation and has been one of the highest, if not the highest, in this statistic for at least a decade. I and many others will continue to fight for funding for this critical issue.

IN CONCLUSION, Wyoming is at a critical junc ture in its history. We are facing threats inside and outside the state. Increased regulations through permitting delays, environmental law changes, social and governance (ESG), trained workforce availability and supply chain to name a few. Additionally, within the state we face those a serious threat with those who do not share the same mining values as us. It is not only critical but imperative that each of you, become more engaged, involved and support candidates who “promote 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.

I look forward to visiting with you and greatly appreciate your attendance in this conference.

The 2023 Mining Claim | 13 www.wyomingmining.org
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WMA BENEFITS

WORKING FOR YOU ALL YEAR LONG

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

Be

We

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

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Part of the WMA Action!
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18 | The 2023 Mining Claim www.wyomingmining.org

2023 CONVENION SPEAKERS

“ Impactful Messaging for Today’s Mining Industry"

Ms. Ashley Burke Senior Vice President, Communications National Mining Association

Ashley Burke is the Senior Vice President of communications for the National Mining Association (NMA) and is responsible for the association’s communications program and serves as its spokesperson. She has more than two decades of communications experience in leading strategic external and internal communications, crisis communications, and corporate social responsibility programs. Prior to joining the NMA in 2016, she was Global Director of Communications for Dentons, the world’s largest law firm. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President of Communications for DynCorp International, a multi-billion-dollar government contractor. She also served as Executive Vice President for Prism Public Affairs, a strategic communications firm, where she specialized in litigation and crisis communications for clients including corporations, coalitions and international governments. Ms. Burke recently completed Stanford University’s executive certificate program on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and received her undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University. She has twice been selected by Profiles in Diversity as a “Woman to Watch,” and earlier in her career was selected by the American Council on Germany for its Young Leaders Program. An active member of her community, she has served on the Board of the Friends of Volta Park since 2018. From 2018-2021 she served on the Board of Directors of Imagination Stage as a Board Vice President.

rience in and around the mining industry. He started his mining career as an underground miner and worked as a fire boss and section foreman and several management positions for the Valley Camp Coal Company before serving as deputy director for the West Virginia Department of Mines. Chris has spent the past 35 years with the West Virginia Coal Association in a variety of capacities involving mine safety, legislative regulatory and government affairs. Hamilton has mine foreman certifications in West Virginia and Ohio and is a graduate of West Virginia University with undergraduate and master degrees in business and political science. He also serves on several state Coal Boards and Commissions under gubernatorial appointment.

“ American Energy Under Attack" Daniel Turner Executive Director Power The Future

Daniel Turner is the Founder and Executive Director of Power The Future (PTF). After 20 years working in communications and public affairs he started PTF to advocate for rural energy communities in the power center of Washington, DC which makes those policy decisions which impact energy workers. Daniel is an expert in energy and environmental issues as they pertain to jobs, rural communities, the U.S. economy, international affairs, and our national security. His op-eds have been published in dozens of outlets and he is a regular guest on multiple programs on Fox News, Fox Business, Newsmax, and One America News Network. He has appeared on over 1500 radio programs.

Daniel lives on a working sheep farm in rural Virginia with his family and several dogs.

Chris Hamilton is the President and CEO of the West Virginia Coal Association. Hamilton, a native of Wheeling WV has over 40 years of expe-

The 2023 Mining Claim | 19 www.wyomingmining.org
“West Virginia Coal and America’s Coal Assciation"
Chris Hamilton Executive Director West Virginia Coal Association

“ Domestic Uranium and Nuclear Fuel Production –Federal Policy Update"

Landon Stropko is the Chair of Energy and Environment Practice Group at Invariant. He is a federal policy counsel with over a decade of service in the U.S. House and Senate. He chairs Invariant’s energy practice, focusing on energy, environment, natural resources, appropriations, and energy tax issues. Landon most recently served as legislative director for Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R-WY), overseeing the Senator’s work on the Senate Finance and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committees. He previously ran the Congressional Western Caucus and was chief of staff to Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). Prior to that, Landon served as legislative assistant for Representative Barbara Cubin (R-WY). Landon holds a Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center and graduated from the University of Wyoming.

“ Rare Element Resources Project and Industry Update"

Brent Berg is an environmental engineer with over 26 years’ experience in the mining and mineral processing industry. Brent was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of Rare Element Resources Ltd. in November 2022. Brent previously worked in Arizona for Taseko Mines as General Manager of the Florence Copper Project and for Excelsior Mining Corp. as Vice President of Sustainability, Health & Safety. Prior to that, Brent spent over 20 years at Cameco Corporation in various roles, including as President of Cameco Resources, where he was responsible for oversight of the company’s U.S. in-situ uranium operations in Wyoming and Nebraska. Brent is a registered Professional Engineer with a B.A.Sc. in Regional Environmental Systems Engineering and an MBA from the University of Regina.

“ Shipper Perspectives on Freight Rail Service Issues"

John

John N. Ward is Executive Director of the National Coal Transportation Association. John is a former board member and past president of the American Coal Council. He remains active in many other coal-related organizations, including acting as the last vice chairman of the National Coal Council as appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Energy. He also serves as the long-time chairman of the Government Relations Committee of the American Coal Ash Association, where he was the first recipient of that organization’s Champion Award.

“ Questioning Your HighCarbon Lifestyle"

Life:Powered

The Honorable Jason Isaac is Director of Life:Powered, a national initiative of the Texas Public Policy Foundation to raise America’s energy IQ. Jason has appeared live on Fox News, Fox Business and other national news shows, and his commentaries have been published in Fox News, The Hill, The Washington Examiner, The Daily Caller, and other publications.

Prior to joining Life:Powered, Jason, a fourth-generation native Texan, was elected four times as the State Representative for Hays and Blanco counties in the Texas Hill Country. He served on the Energy Resources and Environmental Regulation committees, among others. During his eight years of service, he successfully passed legislation to reduce taxes, strengthen election integrity, improve public education, preserve Second Amendment rights, protect local groundwater, and protect private property rights.

He was repeatedly honored for his commitment to limited government and proved to be an effective leader, excelling at both advocating for conservative principles and working across the

20 | The 2023 Mining Claim www.wyomingmining.org

aisle to find responsible solutions for the future of the Lone Star State. Jason is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University. He lives in Hays County, Texas with his wife, the Honorable Carrie Isaac, and their two sons.

“ State and federal Regulatory Updates"

Todd Parlitt Director

Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality

Todd Parfitt was appointed Director of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WYDEQ) by Governor Matt Mead in October 2012 and subsequently reappointed in January 2019 by newly elected Governor Mark Gordon. He has 29 years of experience with the department, including seven years in the dual role of Deputy Director and Administrator of the Industrial Siting Division. He has a Master’s degree in Public Administration, Environmental Policy from The Ohio State University. Parfitt served as President of the Environmental Council of States (ECOS) in 2017/18 and is currently serving as an officer of ECOS in the role of Past President. Jason is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University. He lives

“ State BLM Update"

Andrew Archuletta

Wyoming State Director Bureau of Land Management

Andrew Archuleta was named the Bureau of Land Management’s State Director for Wyoming in January 2022. Archuleta’s career in federal service began more than 28 years ago and includes almost 15 years with the BLM. He has held several leadership positions in the BLM, including Colorado’s Northwest District Manager, acting Division Chief for Fluid Minerals, and most recently, District Manager for the California Desert District. Prior to joining the BLM, he worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service. Archuleta is a Colorado native and earned both a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology and a master’s degree in wildlife toxicology from Colorado State University.

“ Mining’s Silent Threat"

The Honorable Jon Conrad

Environmental and Governmental Affairs, Manager, Tata Soda Ash Partners

Jon Conrad is the Director of Governmental Affairs for Tata Chemicals Soda Ash Partners LLC, in Green River Wyoming. He has 28 years in various leadership positions within the Soda Ash industry. Rep. Conrad (HD19) also serves in the State of Wyoming Legislature with multiple assignments including House Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee and Select Water Committee.

He also serves as the Chairman of the WMA Regulatory Affairs Committee, Chairman of the Essential Minerals Association –North America Environmental Affairs Committee, Board member of the Wyoming Economic Development Association, Uinta County Economic Development Commission and appointed by the Governor as a Commissioner with the Wyoming Veterans Committee.

Jon is also a Veteran for Foreign Wars and a retired Master Sergeant with 21 years of service. He resides in Mountain View with his wife Lorie and are parents of five children. He holds degrees in Aircraft Avionics, Mechanical Engineering and Masters in Business Administration. Jon is a past recipient of the WMA Peck Award.

“ WMA Health and Safety Panel"

Chrissy Case

Director of Safety and Training

Navajo Transitional Energy

Christine Case (Chrissy) is the Director of Safety and Training for Navajo Transitional Energy Company. Chrissy has been in the mining industry for 24 years and has been working in the field of health and safety since 2003. As a Wyoming native, she is passionate about the mining industry and the well-being of our miners.

The 2023 Mining Claim | 21 www.wyomingmining.org

CONVENTION OF THE WYOMING

JUNE 7-9, 2023 | SHERIDAN COLLEGE

WYOMING MINERS - LINKED TOGETHER

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2023

9:00 WMA Board of Directors Meeting (Sheridan College, Whitney Center for the Arts, Room 129)

Noon Annual WMA Golf Tournament – Kendrick Golf Course (Box Lunch Provided)

5:00 Mining Associates of Wyoming Annual Function (Drinks and Heavy Hors d’oeuvres) (Kendrick Golf Course)

THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2023

7:00 Breakfast (Sheridan College/ Atrium)

7:30 – 1:00 Registration

“Wyoming Miners - Linked Together - Linked to America” (Sheridan College - Whitney Center for the Arts, 2nd Floor)

7:50 to 8:00

8:00 to 8:15

8:15 to 8:45

8:45 to 9:15

8:45 to 9:15

9:45 to 10:15

10:15 to 10:45

10:45 to 11:15

11:15 to 11:45

12:00

Welcome

Mayor of Sheridan

Convention Opening

Mr. Travis Deti, Executive Director - Wyoming Mining Associatin

“Impactful Messaging for Today’s Mining Industry”

Ms. Ashley Burke, Senior Vice President, Communications - National Mining Association

“West Virginia Coal and America’s Coal Assciation”

Mr. Chris Hamilton, Executive Director - West Virginia Coal Association

“American Energy Under Attack”

Daniel Turner, Executive Director - Power the Future

Coffee Break

“Domestic Uranium and Nuclear Fuel Production – Federal Policy Update”

Mr. Landon Stropko, Chair of Energy and Environment Practice Group - Invariant Government Relations

“Rare Element Resources Project and Industry Update”

Mr. Brent Berg, President and CEO - Rare Element Resources

“Shipper Perspectives on Freight Rail Service Issues”

Mr. John Ward, Executive Director - National Coal Transportation Association

WMA Presidents Lunch – (Sheridan College)

“Questioning Your High-Carbon Lifestyle”

The Honorable Jason Isaac, Director - Life:Powered

22 | The 2023 Mining Claim www.wyomingmining.org
67 TH ANNUAL

WYOMING MINING ASSOCIATION

COLLEGE | SHERIDAN, WYOMING

TOGETHER - LINKED TO AMERICA

1:30 Transportation pick up at Best Western for Clay Pigeon Shoot

2:00 to 4:00 Clay Pigeon Shooting (must provide gun and ammo)

5:30 Transportation for Brinton Museum

6:00

No Host Cocktail Hour & Silent Auction

(Brinton Museum, 239 Brinton Road, Big Horn, Wyoming)

7:00 Annual WMA Dinner (Brinton Museum)

Salesman of the Year Awards

WMA Peck Community Achievement Award Door Prizes and Silent Auction

FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2023

8:00 Breakfast (Sheridan College - Atrium)

“Wyoming Miners - Linked Together - Linked to America”

(Sheridan College - Whitney Center for the Arts, 2nd Floor)

9:00 to 9:30

9:30 to 10:00

10:00 to 10:30

10:30 to 11:00

11:00 to 11:30

“State and federal Regulatory Updates”

Mr. Todd Parfitt , Director - Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality

“State BLM Update”

Mr. Andrew Archuleta , Wyoming State Director - Bureau of Land Management

Coffee Break

“Mining’s Silent Threat”

The Honorable Jon Conrad, Environmental and Governmental Affairs Manager, Tata Soda Ash Partners

“WMA Health and Safety Panel”

Chrissy Case, Navajo Transitional Energy Company

Neal Malicoat, Sisecam

Pat Joyce, Wyoming Mining Association

12:00

Safety and Reclamation Awards Luncheon (Sheridan College)

Guest Speaker: The Honorable Mark Gordon, Governor of Wyoming

WMA Safety Awards | WMA Safe Sam Award | MAW Safety Awards | State of Wyoming Reclamation Awards

1:30 to 2:30

“Congressional Panel Discussion”

The Honorable Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)

The Honorable Carol Miller

Moderator: Christian Palich (Eagle Specialty Materials)

The 2023 Mining Claim | 23 www.wyomingmining.org
ANNUAL

“ WMA Health and Safety Panel"

Neil Mailcoat

Director of Health and Safety Sisecam Wyoming

Neil Malicoat is the Director of Health and Safety for Sisecam Wyoming, an underground Trona Mine located in Southwest Wyoming. Neil has 30 years in the mining industry, with 13 of those years being in the Health and Safety field. While creating and implementing programs at the mine, Neil has also developed and implemented programs on an international level working with counterparts from India, Europe, Africa and Turkey. Neil is a lifelong resident of Green River Wyoming where he resides with his wife Sarah and their 4 daughters.

“ Congressional Panel Discussion"

The Honorable Carol Miller

West Virginia Congresswoman

Congresswoman Carol Miller represents West Virginia’s First Congressional District. Miller currently serves on the Committee on Ways and Means, she previously served on the Transportation & Infrastructure and Oversight Committees, along with the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Miller’s focus in Congress is creating jobs, diversifying the economy, promoting trade and exports, innovating and improving infrastructure, protecting America’s borders, and supporting West Virginia’s energy industries like coal, oil, and gas. She is the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Energy Export Caucus and co-chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus. Prior to her election to Congress in 2018, Congresswoman Miller served in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2006 to 2018 where she rose to become the first female Majority Whip.

A mother of two and grandmother of seven, Carol Miller is married to her husband Matt, and lives in Huntington, where she owns and operates Swann Ridge Bison Farm and manages real estate. Miller was born in Columbus, Ohio and is the daughter of Congressman Samuel L. Devine and Betty Devine.

“ Congressional Panel Discussion"

The Honorable Cynthia Lummis Wyoming US Senator

Cynthia Lummis was sworn into the United States Senate on January 3, 2021, becoming the first woman to serve as United States Senator from the great State of Wyoming. Born on a cattle ranch in Laramie County, Senator Lummis has spent her entire career fighting for Wyoming families, communities, businesses and values. From the halls of the Wyoming House to the halls of the U.S. House, her time in public service has always been focused on advocating for Wyoming’s future.

First elected to the U.S. House in 2008, Senator Lummis quickly earned her reputation as a no-nonsense conservative and principled policymaker. She was a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, a group consisting of the most unflinching conservative Members of the House of Representatives. She fought throughout her tenure in Congress to rein in spending and reduce the federal deficit, working with the bipartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and ultimately co-sponsoring several bipartisan budget proposals.

Senator Lummis is a dedicated champion of Wyoming’s mineral and energy resources. In Washington, she fought off attacks from the environmental left while advocating for market opportunities both at home and abroad. She is the proud godmother of the ANSAC Wyoming, a commercial shipping vessel transporting trona from the U.S. to Southeast Asia and is the recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the Washington Coal Club.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPEAKERS!

24 | The 2023 Mining
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• 6th Annual Miner’s Dinner – Sept. 12

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THE RECLAMATION OF THE DAVE JOHNSTON MINE

GLENROCK, WY - About 17 years ago an article appeared in the Douglas Budget entitled “After 50 years of powering generators, Glenrock Coal Mine restored to original beauty”. The article outlined the history of the Dave Johnston Mine (DJ Mine) – its offcial name - and its exemplary reclamation that was located about 20 miles northwest

(TOJ) and be released from the Wyoming Coal Program and SMCRA’s requirements.

• It became the first Mine for large scale sagebrush reclamation from seed – a very critical piece of reclamation in Wyoming as the state is home to the iconic sage grouse and many other sagebrush dependent species. Sagebrush is therefore considered a critical vegetation habitat component.

• Many of the reclamation procedures and specialized equipment used were developed by Pacific Power’s lead reclamation scientist, Chet Skillbred, and are viewed as first-in-the-industry technology advancements and continue to be used by the mineral extraction industry today across Wyoming.

• The reclamation won multiple state and federal awards.

• After its closure the land still produces energy through the Glenrock and Rolling Hills wind farm.

looking for a vegetation specialist for their mines. He applied and the rest is history - a long history of a 36-year career doing reclamation work for the DJ Mine.

“I basically managed the reclamation through the whole life of the Mine, from when SMRCA was initiated to the closing of the Mine,” he said.

Chet was first located in Portland, Oregon to work on several of the company’s mines and would fly to Wyoming every week. After 1.5 years, Pacific Power asked him to select a mine, and his choice was the DJ Mine, since he had worked on its permit. He reflected on how the permitting process changed over the years.

“The first permit for the DJ Mine was only two pages long and basically described where the Mine was located. The permit grew to 50 pages when Wyoming passed the Environmental Quality Act in 1973. When the federal SMCRA came into effect and Wyoming received regulatory primacy, our permit grew to 24, four-inch binders.”

of Glenrock.

The Mine’s story is fascinating, but what makes it unique is the effort and success of the Mine receiving the first post Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977 offcial closure and Termination of Jurisdiction from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and The Offce of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) in the state.

According to Kyle Wendtland, DEQ’s Land Quality Division Administrator, it was a maturing event of the coal program that should be recognized. “The DJ Mine accomplished ‘First Milestones’ on many levels.”

• The Mine was the first complete mine closure to receive Termination of Jurisdiction

The DJ Mine began producing coal in 1958 to power the Dave Johnston Power Plant. Owned and operated by Pacific Power, the Mine produced over a hundred million tons of coal during the 42 years it operated. During that timeframe, 4,732 acres of shortgrass prairie lands were disturbed.

Fortunately, Pacific Power had the foresight to hire someone educated in agriculture and reclamation to not only work on the permit that would now need to meet the new SMCRA standards that were passed in 1977, and the new resulting Wyoming regulatory requirements, but ensure reclamation was being done accordingly.

Chet Skilbred, who was fresh out of college having obtained a Biology degree with minors in Chemistry and Mathematics and a Masters in Range Science, was working at Montana State University doing research in reclamation. He recalled seeing an ad in the Billings Gazette that said Pacific Power was

According to Chet, Pacific Power was a conscientious operator and had the foresight to do reclamation work to the disturbed lands starting in 1965. However, he said that there was still a great deal of detail that needed to be done to be compliant with the new requirements.

Chet explained that the soils in that area are sandy, and the climate can be characterized as semiarid with dry winters and hot summers. And of course, the wind blows constantly “with a velocity of 14.7 miles per hour” to be exact. These factors and an annual precipitation average of 10.4 inches per year, presented significant reclamation and re-vegetation challenges that Chet set out to overcome.

From Chet’s writings on the area, vegetation is typical of the Northern Great Plains ecosystem complex. Big sagebrush, western wheatgrass, needlegrasses, blue grama, prairie junegrass and western yarrow are common species associated with the sage-

28 | The 2023 Mining Claim www.wyomingmining.org

brush shrubland and grassland community mosaics found on undisturbed Mine land in this regional area.

“Greater sage grouse and other sagebrush-dependent wildlife species require sagebrush-dominated plant communities for their survival. Similarly, species such as mule deer and pronghorn depend heavily on these restored, big sagebrush plant communities for their habitat.” stated Chet. From the 80’s to 1993 Chet identified advanced reclamation practices that would reestablish sagebrush to its original pre-mining density. He traveled to many mines in other states researching their reclamation techniques for warm season species and sagebrush enhancing his understanding of potential reclamation practices.

By 1993, Chet had developed successful reclamation techniques to reclaim most of the grass species to a pre-mining state, and during the next five years, he focused on applications more specific to sagebrush while refining grass establishment processes. “Sagebrush is a diffcult plant to grow. Fortunately, Pacific Power allowed me to experiment all through the life of the Mine.”

Chet’s persistence paid off, and he became very successful in establishing sagebrush from seed. Today, Chet is considered the leading expert and father of many reclamation practices employed to successfully establish sagebrush from seed. Chet’s pioneering work on seed source quality, plant phenology, and equipment modifications can been seen throughout the modern reclamation practices employed today.

Mature sagebrush and wildlife abound where the DJ Mine once existed. With his attention to detail and his ability to think outside the box of traditional reclamation approaches, Chet advised crews, staff, engineers, and leadership on reclamation. “I went to every Pacific Power mine to assist

and advise with their reclamation programs. Pacific Power also sent staff from their other mines to see how we were managing our reclamation. The DJ Mine was Pacific Power’s poster child or the ‘Cadillac Mine’.”

For forty-two (42) years between 1958 and 2000 the DJ Mine produced approximately one hundred and four million (104,000,000) tons of coal. “Even though the Mine still had more than 100,000,000 tons of coal untapped, at that time it became too costly to mine. Pacific Power could buy the coal elsewhere and ship it to the plant cheaper,” noted Chet.

In 1998 PacifiCorp announced closure of the Mine and initiated final reclamation operations with the last coal shipped from the Mine in October of 2000.

According to Chet, when the Mine closed, approximately 1,665 acres of the 4,798acre total mining disturbance had been reclaimed due to Pacific Power’s earlier efforts. The remaining 3,133 acres were reclaimed from November of 2000 through November of 2005.

“During those last five years, there was a drought which forced us to do things differently,” said Chet. We planted sagebrush at night instead of during the heat of the day which helped the roots establish.

“There were two female equipment operators,” he reflected, “that would go out and plant during the night. They did most of the planting.”

Another unusual approach was utilizing an invasive weed. Typically, reclamation standards guard against them. “We were permitted to allow Russian Thistle to grow even though it is an invasive weed. It helped with shade for the sagebrush seedlings and provided those seedlings with predation protection. Once the sagebrush and grass were established it took over and pushed out the thistle.”

Another positive outcome of the reclamation planning process was the supply of wildlife water. Chet noted that prior to mining, there were no surface springs present within the Mine’s permit area. However, the small weeps from the Mine’s high walls were used to create six post-mining water resources (springs). Constructed between 2001 and

2004, these springs have continued to produce water for the Mine’s restored ecosystem.

Reclamation implies that the mine site will be habitable to organisms in approximately the same composition and density as was present before the land was disturbed according to Chet. The restored ecosystems on the Mine met the vegetation habitat needs to support a diversity of wildlife species for the long term.

“The common occurrence of strutting, nesting and brood rearing greater sage grouse, a threatened species, suggests that important habitat characteristics for this sensitive species are present in the Mine’s restored sagebrush-grassland ecosystem. Mule deer, antelope, hawks, and numerous other organisms that are largely sagebrush dependent are abundant on the former Mine.”

“The common occurrence of strutting, nesting and brood rearing greater sage grouse, a threatened species, suggests that important habitat characteristics for this sensitive species are present in the Mine’s restored sagebrush-grassland ecosystem.”

By 2005 the reclamation operations were completed, and all mining disturbed lands (4,798 acres) were reclaimed back to their approved land use.

The DJ Mine met the ten standards that are required to relinquish its permit and to have the $80 million bond released. “A termination of jurisdiction is awarded only when a mine is fully reclaimed – including seeding of native plant populations – and remains in good grazing condition for 10 years,” Wendtland said. “This is a significant regulatory achievement.”

It was quite a milestone and the efforts won numerous state and federal awards.

In 2010 and 2012, the DJ Mine won the Industry Wildlife Stewardship Award. The award honors companies whose primary mission is not wildlife-related and who make a positive impact through development/improvement for the benefit of fish, wildlife, or habitat.

In 2001, the DJ Mine won the Excellence in Surface Mining and Reclamation National Award. The National awards recognize achievement in a specific aspect of recla-

The 2023 Mining Claim | 29 www.wyomingmining.org

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mation or for overall performance in meeting goals of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act.

In 2001 and 2012 the Mine won the Western Regional Winner for the Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Award from the US Offce of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

The award is given to those coal mining companies that achieve exemplary coal mine reclamation in the nation. Winners have demonstrated a commitment to sound mining practices and effective reclamation plans and practices that enhanced beneficial post-mining use of the land.

The DJ Mine received the DEQ State of Wyoming Reclamation Award that same year. According to the DEQ in a press release regarding the award, the DJ Mine was very deserving. “The Mine and their lead reclamation scientist, Chet Skilbred has a history of regularly ‘going-the-extra-mile’ to solve technical restoration challenges; particularly related to the development of specific methodologies for reestablishment of native shrub species and the installation of innovative reclamation elements that enhance wildlife habitat.”

However, this area that was once home to the DJ Mine was not finished producing energy. Utilizing existing mining intra-structure, baseline mining data and 30 years of on-site meteorological monitoring data, PacifiCorp constructed 158-unit wind turbines to generate a combined 237 mega-wats of electrical energy on the private lands where the Mine once existed. This transition was only achievable due to the simplified land ownership of the proposed development area as well as the private ownership of the needed power transmission corridor. PacifiCorp was able to capitalize on a very unique set of circumstances.

Completed in 2008, production of electricity for customers began in 2008 and 2009. During a tour of the wind farm, Rocky Mountain Power’s CEO stated that though the reclamation efforts had taken place over a period of many years, the results are a legacy of electricity production for many more years into the future.

“When I started working at the DJ Mine, there were 230 employees,” Chet reflected. “By the end of the reclamation period, there was only one employee left – me. I did the last plantings, took care of the maintenance of the facilities, and ran the tractors,” he said.

“I put myself through college running heavy equipment. I guess that worked out well for me.”

And for the DJ Mine.

Many thanks to Chet Skilbred, who graciously provided time and information to help make this article happen. All photos were provided by Chet.

The 2023 Mining Claim | 31 www.wyomingmining.org
Chet Skilbred

2023 PECK COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

CHRISTI JOHNSON (NTEC)

The winner of the 2023 Wyoming Mining Association Peck Community Achievement Award is Christi Johnson of the Navajo Transitional Energy Company. On July 26, 2014 Christi lost her son to suicide. After this tragedy, Christi got involved with “Grace to Live,” where she was first introduced to QPR Suicide Prevention. Not wanting anyone else to experience what she went through, Christi took a “training for trainers’ class” to become certified to teach QPR Suicide Prevention in 2015. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer, and the intent is to provide training on awareness of how to talk to someone who is suicidal and be able to get help for that person. The training also teaches what warning signs or clues to look for in someone that may be thinking of suicide.

Christi began teaching QRP in Douglas in 2015 after going through the training. She has taught multiple QPR Suicide Prevention classes to a variety of attendees. Some of the groups she has taught are the Douglas and Glendo Fire Departments, employees at Antelope Mine, staff and middle school aged kids as well as their family members at the Boys and Girls Club in Douglas, and residents and staff at the Youth Development Services in Douglas. As of March 2023, Cristi has taught QPR Suicide Prevention to 700 people! Christi has many success stories of talking to people who were suicidal and are still here today. Many of those she has taught QPR to have helped family, friends, and co-workers be here today as well.

In addition to this work, Christi is active with many other organizations in her community and company. She works with the Douglas Fire Department and has been an Area Chair for Ducks Unlimited in Douglas. She is an ALERT member and MSHA Miners Representative and Crew Truck Trainer at Antelope Mine, and is involved with Winning the Battle/The Pain Behind the Badge and First Responder Health and Wellness Training.

Christi joins a long list of past Peck Award recipients who selflessly give their time, talent and effort to help make their operations and communities better. The Wyoming Mining Association is honored to present the 2023 Peck Community Achievement Award to Ms. Christi Johnson.

32 | The 2023 Mining Claim www.wyomingmining.org

WMA AWARDS

2023 WMA ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

2023 SALESMAN OF THE YEAR

EQUIPMENT SALESMAN CHARLES OMAN (KOMATSU)

EQUIPMENT SALESMAN DALTON CASTAGNO (ARNOLD MACHINERY)

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

CRYSTAL HERMAN (PACE ANALYTICAL)

The 2023 Mining Claim | 33 www.wyomingmining.org
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SAFETY AWARDS

WYOMING MINING ASSOCIATION AND

MAW 2022 AWARDS

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

• 1st Place - GK Construction

3 consecutive years without an LTA | 656,099 acm. hours

• 2nd Place – Wyoming Machinery

2 consecutive years without an LTA | 187,791 acm. hours

MEDIUM CATEGORY CONTRACTORS with 25,000 to 75,000 reported hours in 2021.

• 1st Place - L&H Industrial Inc

13 consecutive years without an LTA | 965,323 acm. hours

• 2nd Place – Arnold Machinery Company

5 consecutive years without an LTA | 156,261 acm. hours • 3rd Place – Wheeler Machinery Company

3 consecutive years without an LTA | 106.768a cm.hours

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

• 1st Place - FireMaster

10 consecutive years without an LTA | 252,446 acm. hours

• 2nd Place – Epiroc USA, LLC

5 consecutive years without an LTA | 100,337 acm. hours

• 3rd Place – SLS West, Inc.

1 year without an LTA | 24,508 acm.hours

36 | The 2023 Mining Claim www.wyomingmining.org

AWARDS 2022

MINING ASSOCIATES OF WYOMING

WMA 2022 AWARDS

SURFACE MINE – LARGE CATEGORY

1st Place – Eagle Specialty Materials, LLC – Eagle Butte 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 – Eagle Specialty Materials, LLC – Belle Ayr Mine

2nd Place – Pacific Minerals - Bridger Coal Surface Mine

3rd Place – Black Butte Coal Company – Black Butte Mine

SURFACE MINE – NON-COAL LARGE CATEGORY

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

2nd Place – American Colloid Company - 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 - Wyo-Ben, Inc. – Sage Creek Mill

3rd Place – Black Hills Bentonite – Casper Mill

UNDERGROUND MINE – LARGE CATEGORY

1st Place – Tata Chemicals – Tata Chemicals Mine

2nd Place –Sisecam Wyoming, LLC – Big Island Mine & Refinery

3rd Place – American Soda, LLC – Solvay Chemicals Mine

URANIUM OPERATIONS

1st Place – Cameco Resources

2nd Place – Strata Energy

3rd Place – Uranium Energy Corporation

2022 WMA SAFE SAM AWARD : Eagle Specialty Materials – Eagle Butte Mine

The 2023 Mining Claim | 37 www.wyomingmining.org
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MINING ASSOCIATES

MINING ASSOCIATES OF WYOMING

A Division of the Wyoming Mining Association

2022-2023

OFFICERS

Keegan Rogers | Interim President

L&H Industrial

Randy Quig | Treasurer

Wyoming Machinery

Ellis Day | Secretary

Interstate Power Systems

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

Eric Borchers

Komatsu

Randy Hartley Epiroc

Traci Lacock

Hirst Applegate

LETTER FROM THE MAW PRESIDENT

It has been an honor to serve as the MAW President during this past year and on the MAW Board of Directors for the past five years. During my time on the board, I have built so many great relationships with people throughout the mining industry, and each one of these relationships shows me what makes the mining industry truly special.

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.

All MAW members companies can participate on the MAW board by getting elected to serve for a term. I would also like to encourage MAW members to consider serving on the MAW Board as it is a great way to get connected and serve the mining industry.

40 | The 2023 Mining Claim www.wyomingmining.org
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us support the WMA by referring a new MAW member today!
Help

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

2M Company

Accord Resource Solutions LLC

AIL Mining/ Big R Bridge Division – Greeley, CO Office

All State Fire Equipment

Aqua Terra Consultants, Inc. – Sheridan WY Office

Armature Advocacy, LLC

Austin Engineering USA (Formerly WESTECH) –Mills, WY Office

Big Horn Tire , Inc. – Gillette WY Office

BKS Environmental Associates, Inc. –

Gillette WY Office

BKS Environmental Associates, Inc. –Rock Springs WY Office

Black Hills Trucking, Inc. – Casper WY Office

Black Hills Trucking, Inc. – Gillette WY Office

Blakeman Propane, Inc. – Buffalo WY Plant

Blakeman Propane, Inc. – Casper WY Plant

Blakeman Propane, Inc. – Cody WY Plant

Blakeman Propane, Inc. – Douglas, WY Office

Blakeman Propane, Inc. – Gillette WY Plant

Blakeman Propane, Inc. – Moorcroft WY Plant

Blakeman Propane, Inc. – Rawlins, WY Plant

Blakeman Propane, Inc. – Sundance WY Plant

Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Wyoming –

Cheyenne WY Office

Brake Supply Company, Inc. – Casper WY Office

Bridgestone Mining Solutions – Gillette WY Office

Buckley Powder Company

Business Aviators, Inc. – Gillette WY Office

Carr Construction Company – Casper WY Office

Casper Well Products – Casper WY Office

CATE Equipment Company – Gillette WY Office

CATE Equipment Company – Salt Lake City UT Office

CDG Engineers – Sheridan WY Office

CDG Engineers – St. Louis MO Office

Collins Communications, Inc. – Main Office

Crowley Fleck PLLP – Casper WY Office

Crowley Fleck PLLP – Cheyenne WY Office

Crowley Fleck PLLP – Sheridan WY Office

CTI and Associates, Inc.

Cumberland Surety, Inc.

Cummins Rocky Mountain, LLC – Gillette WY Office

Cummins Rocky Mountain, LLC – Henderson CO Office

D.A. Eldridge Mining Service – Gillette WY Office

Disa Technologies, Inc.

DTS Fluid Power

Dykman Electrical – Centennial, CO Office

Dykman Electrical – Salt Lake City UT Office

Dyno Nobel Inc. – Corporate Office

EEMS – (Environmental Engineering & Measurement Services, Inc.)

Energy Capital Economic Development

Energy Laboratories, Inc. – Billings, MT

Energy Laboratories, Inc. – Casper, WY Office

Energy Laboratories, Inc. – Gillette Office

Epiroc

Equitable Oil Purchasing Company

ETI, Inc.

Firemaster – Gillette WY Office

FTE Drilling USA INC.

Fuchs Lubricants Co.

GK Construction Inc.

Graymont

GTI Energy Ltd

HDR Engineering, Inc. Omaha, NE Office

HDR Engineering, Inc. – Cheyenne WY Office

HDR Engineering, Inc. – Dallas TX Office

HDR Engineering, Inc. – Gillette WY Office

HDR Engineering, Inc.- Denver CO Office

Hirst Applegate, LLP – Cheyenne WY Office

Holland and Hart – Cheyenne, WY

Holly Frontier

Honnen Equipment Company – Gillette WY Office

Honnen Equipment Company – Mills WY Office

Honnen Equipment Company –Rock Springs WY Office

Hydro Engineering, LLC

Immersive Technologies

Industrial Lubricant Company

Infineum USA LP

Interstate PowerSystems

Intertractor America/ITM

Komatsu Mining

L & H Industrial, Inc. – Gillette WY Office

Land View Inc.

Liebherr Mining Equipment Company –Gillette WY Office

Liebherr Mining Equipment Company – Newport News VA Office

Little America

Mclanahan Corporation – Hollidaysburg, PA Office

Mcvehil-Monnett Associates, Inc. –Englewood CO Office

MG Oil – Rapid City, SD Office

MG Oil Company – Gillette WY Office

Nelson Brothers Mining Services, LLC

North Star Strategies

Northern Engine And Supply, Inc. – Gillette WY Office

Oftedal Construction, Inc. – Casper WY Office

Oftedal Construction, Inc. – Miles City MT Office

PACE – Gillette WY Office

PACE – Sheridan WY Office

Peregrine Leadership Institute – Gillette WY Office

Philippi-Hagenbuch, Inc. – Peoria IL Office

Powder River Energy Corporation – Corporate

Headquarters

Powder River Energy Corporation – Gillette Office

Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company

Rangefront Mining Services

Rapid Fire Protection Inc.

Rocky Mountain Brake Supply, Inc. – Casper WY Office

Rocky Mountain Brake Supply, Inc. – Elko NV Office

Rocky Mountain Recycling –

Commerce City CO Office

Schaeffer Mfg. Co. – Denver CO Office

Shell & Whitmore Reliability Solutions

SKV Limited Liability Company

SLS West, Inc. – Gillette WY Office

Standard Laboratories, Inc. – Casper WY Office

Stantec Consulting Services, Inc

State Fire DC Specialties LLC

Stifel Investments

SWCA Environmental Consultants

Technology Laboratory, Inc.

The Burron Firm P.C.

The MC Family of Companies, LLC

TRC Companies

Turner Mining Group

University of Wyoming

Water & Environmental Technologies

Wear Pro Inc.

Wheeler Mining Systems

Whitmore Field Services

Wollam Construction Company, Inc.

Worldwide Rental Services – Albuquerque NM Office

Worldwide Rental Services – Casper WY Office

Worldwide Rental Services –Denver CO Corporate Office

Worldwide Rental Services – Salt Lake City Office

WWC Engineering – Casper WY Office

WWC Engineering – Helena MT Office

WWC Engineering – Laramie WY Office

WWC Engineering – Sheridan WY Office

Wyoming Food Bank Of The Rockies

Wyoming Machinery Company – 5505 Mohan Road

Office, Gillette, WY

Wyoming Machinery Company – 6500 Swanson Road Office – Gillette, WY

Wyoming Machinery Company – Casper WY Office

Wyoming Machinery Company – Cheyenne WY Office

Wyoming Machinery Company –

Rock Springs WY Office

Wyoming Miner’s Hospital Board – Gillette WY Office

Wyoming Power Wash, Inc. – Mills WY Office

The 2023 Mining Claim | 41 www.wyomingmining.org
MAW Membership applications are available at www.wyomingmining.org. Members paid at publication are listed.
42 n The 2019 Mining Claim ADVERTISER INDEX Bentonite Performance Minerals ....................... 18 BigHorn Tire .................................................................. 35 BKS Environmental .................................................... 35 Blue Cross Blue Shield Wyoming ....................... 8 BNSF Railway ............................................................... 27 Crowley Fleck ............................................................... 35 Dyno Nobel .................................................................... 16 enCore Energy ............................................................. 34 Genesis Alkali ............................................................... 15 Honnen Equipment .................................................... 38 Komatsu .......................................................................... 14 L&H Industrial .............................................................. 43 Land Resources USA ................................................ 39 MG Oil Co ........................................................................ 27 Nelson Brothers........................................................... 15 Nuclear Fuels Inc. ...................................................... 39 Peabody .......................................................................... 5 Philippi-Hagenbuch Inc. ......................................... 44 Ramaco Resources .................................................... 30 Rangefront ..................................................................... 5 Rare Element Resources ........................................ 38 Rocky Mountain Power ........................................... 14 SLS West Ink ................................................................. 11 Solvay ............................................................................... 12 Strata Energy ................................................................ 39 Tata Chemicals ............................................................. 35 US Gold Corp ................................................................ 34 Water and Environmental Technologies ......... 12 Western Rare Earths ................................................. 2 Wind River Job Core .................................................. 18 Wyoming Caucus ........................................................ 38 Wyoming Machinery Company ........................... 20 Wyoming Mining Association .............................. 3 THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
The 2023 Mining Claim | 43 www.wyomingmining.org

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