Arizona Ranks 20th Among World's Mining Places

The annual Survey of Mining Companies for 2013 ranks Arizona 20^th out of 112 jurisdictions worldwide.

The Arizona Geology blog reports that Arizona ranked 28^th out 96 countries, states and provinces in the previous survey.

In the US, Wyoming, Nevada, Minnesota, Utah and Michigan ranked higher than Arizona.

Meeting to Discuss Combining Globe and Miami School Districts

A public meeting to discuss the possibility of combining the Globe and Miami School Districts will be held on Wednesday, February 12. It will be from 5:30 to 7:pm in the Supervisors’ Hearing Room at the Gila County Courthouse. 

For more information call 928-425-0535.

Old Dominion Park Opens Saturday

The Old Dominion Historic Mine Park opens to the public on Saturday at 10:am.

Walking trails will lead walkers past foundations and remaining structures, with interpretive signage describing the function and history of the site. The site is family-friendly with wide trails, shaded benches and a large picnic ramada.

A “boneyard” has old mining equipmnt on display with signs to explain how the equipment was used.

The park is open through the cooperative efforts of BHP Copper and the City of Globe. The amenities were built with their generosity, along with several donors who are recognized at the park.

Virtual Museum Highlights Arizona's Mines

The new Arizona Experience website highlights a different theme each month. March’s feature is on mining. It gives viewers the opportunity to take virtual tours of some of the state’s mining landmarks. Interactive maps bring up current and historical photographs.

An article in the Arizona Republic says that the purpose of the virtual museum is to compensate for the Mining and Mineral Museum in downtown Phoenix that closed last year. But those fond of the museum say the website is a poor substitute for the actual building which was visited by about 25,000 school children each year.

There were plans to reopen the museum as the Arizona Experience, but the state has reportedly raised only a small fraction of the $12 to $15 million needed to open.

Visit the online mining exhibit at arizonaexperience.org or azmineraleducation.org.

Copper Company Wants to Expand Miners' Shifts to 12 Hours

Resolution Copper Company is urging Arizona lawmakers to allow miners who work underground to be scheduled for shifts up to 12 hours. Current state law limits underground miners to eight hour shifts.

A representative of Resolution Copper told the House Employment and Regulatory Affairs Committee that operations in other states that increased the limits to 12 hours have seen decreases in time lost to injuries. Adam Hawkins also said that workers have found that they prefer this because it means less time commuting and more time at home.

The bill would also remove language from state law declaring that employment in underground mining is “injurious to health and dangerous to life and limb.”

Cronkite News Service reports that the bill has already been approved by the Arizona Senate. It now goes to the House floor.

Gosar Questions Interior Secretary About Land Swap Proposal

Cronkite News Service reports that 1st District Representative Paul Gosar was one of the Congressmen who questioned Interior Secretary Ken Salazar during a budget hearing on Wednesday.

Gosar asked Salazar why his department isn’t supporting the land swap bill that would clear the way for the proposed Resolution Copper Mine near Superior.

Gosar called the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act “jobs legislation” that would create more than 3,000 jobs.

Salazar said that his department generally supported a version of the bill that was introduced in the last Congress because it would have required an environmental analysis before any land exhange and also another one before mining could begin.

Gosar’s bill does not ask for an analysis before the land exchange. Salazar says an analysis should be done in order to address tribal concerns and issues relating to water.

Last week the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona told a Senate hearing that the Resolution mine would not only destroy holy land but it would also contaminate surrounding water sources.

Supporters of the mine insist that environmental and cultural issues will be addressed but the land swap should go through first because the state can’t wait for the economic boost.

Two Globe Abandoned Mines to be Closed

Abandoned Mine Safety, Inc. announces that two abandoned mines at Round Mountain Park in Globe will be permanently closed on August 24. The mines will be closed using a combination of blasting and backfilling.

Abandoned Mine Safety is a non-profit organization dedicated to the closing and securing of abandoned mines in Arizona. They also provide abandoned mine safety education programs.

Students at Copper Rim Elementary School will receive the abandoned mine safety education on September 7.