Oak Flat News

Wonder how much stock she bought in Rio Tinto?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45287592/ns/politics-more_politics/#.TsG01LLsOZQ

ClimbandMine wrote:Wonder how much stock she bought in Rio Tinto?

that's a bit of a stretch~~~ ~ ~
maybe a good topic on a different thread {hint} D.C.Aides-Insider trading

CO_Michael wrote:Mining is known not to be able to clean up after its self but the GOP wants to just look the other way. Congressional Western Caucus

thanks 4 great info-link-up

There are 22 Bills now stalled before the Senate. H.R.1904 is #18 on the list where it joins the rest. This group of bills, referred to by some as "Job Creation through Deregulation" include those that create jobs by nullifying the EPA's carbon and greenhouse gas emission rules

How popular is Congress today?
Colorado Senator Michael Bennet recently explained the approval rating of Congress is now at 9% -video #2

Looks like good news to me in the Senate.

"The House has approved more than 20 bipartisan bills that, if enacted, would immediately help to grow the economy without more failed stimulus spending. The following 22 jobs bills are currently stalled in the Democrat-controlled Senate."www. gop .gov

Just more Republican spin.

How can these bills be bipartisan yet NO (ok maybe a few) Dems are voting for them?

Jobs bill my ass.

HR 1904 won't create jobs for a decade. So much for fixing unemployment today.

CO_Michael wrote:Looks like good news to me in the Senate. "The House has approved more than 20 bipartisan bills that, if enacted, would immediately help to grow the economy without more failed stimulus spending. The following 22 jobs bills are currently stalled in the Democrat-controlled Senate."www. gop .gov Just more Republican spin. How can these bills be bipartisan yet NO (ok maybe a few) Dems are voting for them? Jobs bill my ass. HR 1904 won't create jobs for a decade. So much for fixing unemployment today.

Won't create jobs for a decade? You have to be kidding me. Resolution currently has over 500 employees and contractors! The next 10 years would actually have more jobs (more than full production) due to the construction and ramp up to production. Talk to any business owner in Superior and the impact so far has been immense.
This isn't a democrat versus republican issue. Ann Kirkpatrick, democractic congresswomen, fought hard for this issue.

I hope nothing bad happens to this area. I just visited Phoenix for the first time to see a friend and we bouldered out there and i must say that Oak Flats and South Mountain are like the Chaos Canyon and Lincoln Lake of AZ. I really appreciated the area and loved climbing at both. I hope to get back down in the spring and hopefully everything is still there and accessible.

Just saw this on the feed and thought i would comment.

bv
www.whiteknuckled.com

Jobs, recreation and the mine. No reason we can't co-exist.

http://www.longshoreshippingnews.com/2011/11/rio-tinto-bhp-billiton-in-controversial-land-swap/

'Based on past experience and the companies’ records, many opponents fear the promised job numbers are significantly inflated and that jobs would not go primarily to local residents and would be largely nonunion.'

Look like this is a common theme for this company Rio Tinto

While this does not involve Resolution Copper, ARSCO in nearby Hayden is in trouble with the EPA.

npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/20…

BryanV wrote:I really appreciated the area and loved climbing at both. I hope to get back down in the spring and hopefully everything is still there and accessible. Just saw this on the feed and thought i would comment.

BryanV, Access will be allowed to continue if we let our group leaders and Congress know we care to keep this public land open for climbing.
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Sierra Club- Don Steuter, recently had this to say:

Resolution Copper Taxpayer Rip-Off of the Century

Another land exchange bill has been introduced in Congress this year that would give Oak Flat Campground near Superior to the world’s two largest mining companies – collectively known as Resolution Copper Mining – and would ultimately threaten the prized riparian area in Gaan (Devil’s) Canyon. Written by Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ), HR 1904 borrows much from the five previous poorly conceived bills introduced over the last several years and only manages to make the legislation worse.

Defying all logic, a mining plan of operations and environmentalstudies mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) would be required only after the mine was already built. This is truly closing the barn door after the horse is long gone. Also, as NEPA applies only to federal actions, the environmental studies performed would likely be limited in scope as the 2,400 acres of public land acquired by Resolution in the exchange would become private, and NEPA for the most part need not apply.

Nothing in the bill makes much sense. It is touted as a jobs bill, but of the 11 employment categories, as described by the U.S. Department of Commerce, mining ranks lowest in job creation and, therefore, would have minimal statewide effect.

The bill states that the exchange is in the public interest. The public will receive about 5,000 acres of land worth perhaps $50 million, while the ore deposit is valued at a minimum of $90 billion, based on information provided by Resolution. You would be hard-pressed to find any appraisal method used on past mining land exchanges that returns so little benefit to the taxpayer.

HR 1904 states that Apache Leap, a culturally important area to the western Apache, will be protected, but this is a hollow statement as the largest mine in the lower 48 states will be a stone’s throw away along with a subsidence zone the size of Meteor Crater.

This backwards bill belongs in the congressional dust bin, along with Resolution’s preceding bills.

The Sierra Club -Echo Fall'11

Mining ranks low in job creation because the environmentalists have shipped all the jobs overseas.

When it takes 20 years to build a mine you can't blame the businesses anymore.

Ben Beard wrote: Won't create jobs for a decade? You have to be kidding me. Resolution currently has over 500 employees and contractors! The next 10 years would actually have more jobs (more than full production) due to the construction and ramp up to production. Talk to any business owner in Superior and the impact so far has been immense. This isn't a democrat versus republican issue. Ann Kirkpatrick, democractic congresswomen, fought hard for this issue.

Nevermind consultant, sales, and manufacturing jobs it is currently supporting as equipment is bought and studies are being carried out.

ClimbandMine wrote:Mining ranks low in job creation because the environmentalists have shipped all the jobs overseas.

How do you justify this claim of yours?

Environmentalists?

What, you think mining companies want to work in places like Africa, where you are at constant risk of having your mine nationalized?

When it takes 20 years to put a mine like Safford into production, they don't have a choice. Safford was found in the '80s. Finally went into production around 2007.

ClimbandMine wrote:Mining ranks low in job creation because the environmentalists have shipped all the jobs overseas. When it takes 20 years to build a mine you can't blame the businesses anymore.

As I read things, I don't see or hear the majority of people saying that there shouldn't be mining activities taking place in most places where ores are found here in the US. This is and has been true at Oak Flat since the privatization proposal was made way back in about 2004. It's not necessarily the mine for most people, it's the method and the exclusivity that Rio Tinto will be granted to what has been a traditional land for so many stakeholders; Native Americans, local residents and their families, people who recreate, and yes, miners too.

Typically, there's a spectrum of concern for what historically has been an unfortunate byproduct of environmental devastation related to extractive industries. The industry is better but there is still a great amount of risk involved when it comes to the environment (ie., us, our water, our lands, other flora and fauna, etc.)

Most people agree that the minerals/elements are necessary for society and the modern view seems to have evolved into one of at least making sure that rational effort is made to ensure that the consequences of the mining activities are more fully understood.

To me, this is what I think I hear when people point out that to date there has not been a Fair and Balanced approach suggested for the wealth and riches associated with Oak Flat, above and below the surface, that allows all the traditional stakeholders to get at least a good portion of what they want/need for themselves and future generations; as well as allowing the mining company to get its profit.

After all, this is supposedly one of the richest deposits ever found and mining engineers and technologists are creative and able people, what an excellent opportunity for Fairness and Balance for all, at least as I see it.

Fred

http://www.silverbelt.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=3315&page=72

Just to keep folks updated on our public land

Lindajft wrote:Resolution bill still in committee Posted Wednesday Jan 18th 2012 BY Ted Lake-Staff Reporter --- Members of the U.S. Senate will be involved in a brief session this week returning from the Christmas holiday break with not much expected to happen. If fact, according to Washington, D.C. sources, don’t expect the U.S. Senate to get back to a full work schedule until after next Tuesday’s State of the Union address. Still sitting in the Senate’s Natural Resources Committee is Congressman Paul Gosar’s revived Resolution Copper land exchange bill which sailed through the U.S. House of Representatives and was sent to the U.S. Senate in November where it continues to remain in limbo. Gosar’s bill remained in tact when it was sent to the Senate and has the full support of both Republican Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain of Arizona.

Linda thanks for posting- Over the holidays this Bill also gained a reputation for being part of a GOP "Jobs" package know as the "Forgotten Fifteen" (search:HB 1904 arizona the forgotten fifteen)-oops these bills forever imo

meanwhile the Town of Superior booted out a recall of Mayor Hing in the recent election

Michael Hing 306 (48.19%)
Jayme Valenzuela 324 (51.02%)

Resolution Copper (website down several days now) continues their dog-&-pony show to the locals:

Globe Council hears from Resolution Copper
Posted: Wednesday, Jan 11th, 2012 BY: Andrea Marcanti/ Editor

Globe — It was business as usual for Globe City Council on Monday night after a short holiday break. Resolution Copper’s Adam Hawkins made a special presentation to the council asking for a resolution of support. "We know everyone has a pretty good idea of what we do," said Hawkins. Resolution Copper owns the largest copper mine in America located 4 to 7,000 feet under the surface just east of Superior. The mine promises 3,500 jobs and a life span of close to 66 years. "We are looking at billions of dollars to the economy for the good people in the copper triangle," said Hawkins. "We are hoping this will pass the Senate and are asking the council for a current resolution of support."

In the past the Globe City Council has passed four resolutions of support. "By keeping this up to date it shows the people of Washington how important this is to the people here," said Hawkins. The council will vote on the resolution at their Jan. 23 meeting...."

silverbelt.com/v2_news_arti…;page=72&story_id=3295

Lindajft wrote:http://www.longshoreshippingnews.com/2011/11/rio-tinto-bhp-billiton-in-controversial-land-swap/ 'Based on past experience and the companies’ records, many opponents fear the promised job numbers are significantly inflated and that jobs would not go primarily to local residents and would be largely nonunion.' Look like this is a common theme for this company Rio Tinto

Hourly mining jobs in the US are roughly 3 TO 1 non-union to union. Even higher in the underground mines. It has nothing to do with Rio Tinto.

I'd post a reference, but the table is in my email.

Companies hire mostly local, as much as possible - those fears are unfounded. The engineering positions are the tough ones to fill, though in Arizona there are more mining engineers and geologists who would want to work locally.

That does not seem to be the case out in Superior, AZ. All the trucks have Utah or other state licenses. Contractors are hired from various places, minimal from local. The engineers, etc have been brought in from other places.

Eventually RCM plans to have robots out there doing the work and the trucks will be remote control. (When is the last time you heard of someone going to school to learn robotics engineering out in Superior?) I'd post their estimates, but their website has been down for almost three weeks. (weird)

It would be nice if this company would just be more environmentally conscious and not destroy/rape the land. We are in 2012, haven't we learned anything about the way we treat Mother Earth by now?

ClimbandMine wrote:Companies hire mostly local, as much as possible - those fears are unfounded. The engineering positions are the tough ones to fill, though in Arizona there are more mining engineers and geologists who would want to work locally.

RioTinto/Resolution Copper/Kennecott use several listings to spread the numbers around yet they all point back to the source. Info below was retrieved from myvisajobs.com and the disclaimer should be noted as quoted from site:

"Department of Labor(DOL) typically certifies more than 3 times the number of foreign work requests than the number of H1B visas issued by USCIS. So there is no one to one relationship between the number of workers certified by the DOL and the number of H1B work visas issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)"

RIO Tinto Services Inc filed for 11 labor condition applications (LCA) for H1B visa in 2011, 2 were denied, Average Salary: $105,234. A total of 51 LCA's were filed since 2001.

Rio Tinto Energy America Services Company filed 4 LCA's for H1B visa and 4 labor certifications for green card since 2001.

Rio Tinto Minerals, Inc. filed 3 LCA's for H1B visa in 2011 - Average Salary: $123,283

Rio Tinto filed 2 labor certifications for green cards in 2011 - Average Salary: $136,880

Resolution Copper Company filed for 1 LCA for H1B visa and 1 labor certification for a green card in 2011 and 1 LCA in 2010 - Average Salary: $107,450. The 2010 request was for a position of Chief Geologist in Superior, AZ and was denied by the US Dept of Labor

kirra wrote: RioTinto/Resolution Copper/Kennecott use several listings to spread the numbers around yet they all point back to the source. Info below was retrieved from myvisajobs.com and the disclaimer should be noted as quoted from site: "Department of Labor(DOL) typically certifies more than 3 times the number of foreign work requests than the number of H1B visas issued by USCIS. So there is no one to one relationship between the number of workers certified by the DOL and the number of H1B work visas issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)" RIO Tinto Services Inc filed for 11 labor condition applications (LCA) for H1B visa in 2011, 2 were denied, Average Salary: $105,234. A total of 51 LCA's were filed since 2001. Rio Tinto Energy America Services Company filed 4 LCA's for H1B visa and 4 labor certifications for green card since 2001. Rio Tinto Minerals, Inc. filed 3 LCA's for H1B visa in 2011 - Average Salary: $123,283 Rio Tinto filed 2 labor certifications for green cards in 2011 - Average Salary: $136,880 Resolution Copper Company filed for 1 LCA for H1B visa and 1 labor certification for a green card in 2011 and 1 LCA in 2010 - Average Salary: $107,450. The 2010 request was for a position of Chief Geologist in Superior, AZ and was denied by the US Dept of Labor

Got a point? that's out of how many people Rio has hired in this country?

Some out of state plates for the miners and shaft workers doesn't mean much. You tried to hire an experienced shaft miner lately?

The US, including you folks need to wake up to the realities of the world today. No wonder the US has a 8.5% unemployment rate - we can't get anything built and we can't adapt to the 21st century.

I work on projects in Ireland, China, and Canada with people from Australia and Chile, all remotely. if you can't get the skills you need because the American education system sucks then either you outsource them or you import them.

I could go on and on about the flaws of the American labor market and education system, but that's WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAy off topic.