Arizona faces a budget crisis, unemployment remains stubbornly high, and economic development has been scarce.
Fortunately, a few bright spots like the Florence Copper Project, an initiative of Curis Resources Ltd. to develop a world-class in-situ copper recovery (ISCR) project and bring much needed high wage jobs to the region, are underway.
"The Florence Copper Project represents an opportunity for the Town of Florence, Pinal County, and the State of Arizona to employ hundreds of people," said Mike McPhie, President and CEO of Curis Resources. "At full production, we will employ 170 full-time workers. These are head of household jobs for hardworking Arizonans," he said.
During the first phase of the project, a two-year production test that will take roughly two years to complete, Curis projects employing 30 full-time staff in addition to 200 to 300 construction workers.
The company also has a strong local hire policy, giving priority consideration to local job seekers based on qualifications and merit. Local companies also receive priority consideration for service contracts.
"We want to be partners in the community," said McPhie. "Providing employment to local residents and ensuring that we build relationships with local companies are two of the ways we can solidify our investment."
To learn more about local hire at the Florence Copper Project, click here.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
MSHA Ramps Up Mine Safety Enforcement, Hires Additional Inspectors as Citations and Penalties Increase
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
Leading Industry Experts Advise Mining Companies on Alternative Case Resolution
Deadwood, SD, July 12, 2010–The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has stepped up enforcement of the Mine Safety and Health Act with aggressive field inspections of coal, mineral and aggregate mining operations. Since April, citations and penalties have risen steadily with industry experts predicting a continued increase as MSHA expanded its budget for site inspections and is currently recruiting additional field inspectors.
MSHA’s citation campaign took a new direction in February with the agency’s announcement of its “Rules to Live By” program, designed to enforce the 24 safety standards most frequently cited by MSHA in fatal mining accident investigations. Just two months later, the worst mining disaster in forty years occurred at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia, putting the agency under congressional scrutiny.
“MSHA has definitely ramped up the number and variety of citations it’s issuing,” said Mark Savit, partner at Patton Boggs LLP and an expert in mining litigation and health and safety law. “It is clear that the MSHA leadership favors more stringent enforcement as the primary way to ensure safety, and they are taking unprecedented action as of late.”
Smaller mine operators are particularly vulnerable to MSHA enforcement actions, as many citations carry penalties that can cripple the operating budget of a small mining company. “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Mr. Savit, remarking on a recent case in which a small stone quarry was assessed over $500,000 in MSHA penalties. Savit, who began his career at the U.S. Department of the Interior where he headed MSHA’s special investigation unit, said. “The only way a small mining company can operate in this regulatory climate is to become as familiar as it can be with the MSHA citation process. The risk of being unprepared for a significant MSHA enforcement action can be devastating.”
Scott McKenna, an MSHA-certified instructor and owner of Catamount Consulting LLC, agrees. “Mine operators need to know about and respond to any violations on their sites before MSHA does, and they need to know how to deal with citations,” said McKenna. “Ignorance of rights, responsibilities, the Code of Federal Regulations and the ACRI process is simply reckless.”
ACRI, the Alternative Case Resolution Initiative, is an MSHA program in which ACRI¬trained, non-attorney MSHA specialists resolve or adjudicate select enforcement disputes with mine operators arising from citations under the Mine Act. The use of the ACRI process has spread to almost every type of citation except where serious, disabling or fatal injuries are involved.
Mark Savit and Scott McKenna have collaborated to present at a two-and-a-half day seminar covering the legal and procedural processes involved in field inspections, citations and ACRI resolution. The ACRI workshop provides mine operators and their representatives the skills necessary to participate in the ACRI process without outside legal representation. Attorneys from Patton Boggs LLP, a preeminent Washington D.C. - based firm, provide insight into MSHA laws, research techniques and litigation procedures. Participants learn how to organize and present legal arguments, and receive a manual with form pleadings useful in preparing for settlement conferences and proceedings with Administrative Law Judges.
“We are helping mine operators to level the playing field,” said McKenna. “There is no argument that enforcement isn’t necessary. It’s about the cost of doing business.”
The ACRI Seminar will take place August 24-26, 2010 at Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort in Deadwood, South Dakota. The cost to attend is $625 per person. More information on the seminar can be found at http://www.catamountconsultingllc.com/events or by calling Catamount Consulting at (518) 623-2352.
Leading Industry Experts Advise Mining Companies on Alternative Case Resolution
Deadwood, SD, July 12, 2010–The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has stepped up enforcement of the Mine Safety and Health Act with aggressive field inspections of coal, mineral and aggregate mining operations. Since April, citations and penalties have risen steadily with industry experts predicting a continued increase as MSHA expanded its budget for site inspections and is currently recruiting additional field inspectors.
MSHA’s citation campaign took a new direction in February with the agency’s announcement of its “Rules to Live By” program, designed to enforce the 24 safety standards most frequently cited by MSHA in fatal mining accident investigations. Just two months later, the worst mining disaster in forty years occurred at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia, putting the agency under congressional scrutiny.
“MSHA has definitely ramped up the number and variety of citations it’s issuing,” said Mark Savit, partner at Patton Boggs LLP and an expert in mining litigation and health and safety law. “It is clear that the MSHA leadership favors more stringent enforcement as the primary way to ensure safety, and they are taking unprecedented action as of late.”
Smaller mine operators are particularly vulnerable to MSHA enforcement actions, as many citations carry penalties that can cripple the operating budget of a small mining company. “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Mr. Savit, remarking on a recent case in which a small stone quarry was assessed over $500,000 in MSHA penalties. Savit, who began his career at the U.S. Department of the Interior where he headed MSHA’s special investigation unit, said. “The only way a small mining company can operate in this regulatory climate is to become as familiar as it can be with the MSHA citation process. The risk of being unprepared for a significant MSHA enforcement action can be devastating.”
Scott McKenna, an MSHA-certified instructor and owner of Catamount Consulting LLC, agrees. “Mine operators need to know about and respond to any violations on their sites before MSHA does, and they need to know how to deal with citations,” said McKenna. “Ignorance of rights, responsibilities, the Code of Federal Regulations and the ACRI process is simply reckless.”
ACRI, the Alternative Case Resolution Initiative, is an MSHA program in which ACRI¬trained, non-attorney MSHA specialists resolve or adjudicate select enforcement disputes with mine operators arising from citations under the Mine Act. The use of the ACRI process has spread to almost every type of citation except where serious, disabling or fatal injuries are involved.
Mark Savit and Scott McKenna have collaborated to present at a two-and-a-half day seminar covering the legal and procedural processes involved in field inspections, citations and ACRI resolution. The ACRI workshop provides mine operators and their representatives the skills necessary to participate in the ACRI process without outside legal representation. Attorneys from Patton Boggs LLP, a preeminent Washington D.C. - based firm, provide insight into MSHA laws, research techniques and litigation procedures. Participants learn how to organize and present legal arguments, and receive a manual with form pleadings useful in preparing for settlement conferences and proceedings with Administrative Law Judges.
“We are helping mine operators to level the playing field,” said McKenna. “There is no argument that enforcement isn’t necessary. It’s about the cost of doing business.”
The ACRI Seminar will take place August 24-26, 2010 at Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort in Deadwood, South Dakota. The cost to attend is $625 per person. More information on the seminar can be found at http://www.catamountconsultingllc.com/events or by calling Catamount Consulting at (518) 623-2352.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
U.S. House Committee Debates Miner Workplace Safety Bill
House Democrats and labor unions want to move quickly to enact the Robert C. Byrd Miner Safety and Health Act. But House Republicans and industry representatives say it could make the situation worse.
http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page72068?oid=107937&sn=Detail
http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page72068?oid=107937&sn=Detail
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Florence Copper Project
The Florence Copper Project is an initiative of Curis Resources Ltd. to permit, construct and operate an in-situ copper recovery (ISCR) operation in Florence, Arizona.
The project, located in central Arizona within the municipal boundaries of the Town of Florence, was acquired by Curis in February 2010. Curis is working with residents and officials from the Town of Florence and relevant State and Federal agencies to design, construct and operate a world-class in-situ copper recovery project.
The project, located in central Arizona within the municipal boundaries of the Town of Florence, was acquired by Curis in February 2010. Curis is working with residents and officials from the Town of Florence and relevant State and Federal agencies to design, construct and operate a world-class in-situ copper recovery project.
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