Oak Flat News

All is not quiet on the Oak Flat Preservation efforts:

1: economist.com/node/21552595

“Our grandfathers wouldn’t recognise the mines of today,” says Jon Cherry, vice-president of the Resolution Copper Company (a subsidiary of the Anglo-Australian firm Rio Tinto), in his office in Superior. “You essentially design them backwards. We’ll look first at the post-mine land use and how it will work, not only technically and economically but also socially.”

See #2, next post on how a local community was notified of RCM's efforts to locate a very large mine waste pile operation near their homes.

Fred

More disquietude over Resolution's methods and plans:

2: hcn.org/issues/44.8/retiree…

"It hasn't helped that locals found out about the possible tailings dump only through a Freedom of Information Act request. On March 26, mine opponents briefed Queen Valley residents on emails between the Arizona State Land Department and Resolution showing the company's determination to acquire 11 square miles of the state land near the community as its "preferred" site, despite its public assertions that the tailings would probably go to an old strip mine about 30 miles northeast, over a high ridge.

Continuing from the article:

"In an email, state geologist John Schieffer scoffed at claims that the pile would eventually be covered with native vegetation. "Tailings are devoid of all nutrients. … It will be an ugly eyesore forever!" he wrote, adding that the company was planning to do geologic testing without permits, and that its hydrologic study plans were "poor."

Fred

And then there's the politician quietly hoping to transfer revered public recreation lands to private hands as part of his legacy.

3: azcentral.com/news/articles…

An excerpt:

"Kyl also would like to complete some Arizona priorities before he leaves office but was somewhat pessimistic about a proposed Navajo-Hopi water-rights settlement, as well as land-swap legislation that would lead to a major new Resolution Copper mine near Superior

Fred

And 4: Then there's a US House of Representatives member from Arizona, Jeff Flake, sounding eager to step into Sen. Kyl's soon to be empty shoes and take over where he will leave off. Aside from currently vying to take over for Kyl in the Senate, Flake is also a former Washington lobbyist for the mining interests that, unbeknownst to him he has said, included an Iranian stake in a uranium operation now owned by Rio Tinto, Resolution Copper's majority owner.

Reported just today:

huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/…

"Last October [Represenative Flake] voted for a 2,300-acre land swap in Arizona that would give the mining firm Rio Tinto access to copper there. Rio Tinto is the majority owner of the Namibian uranium mine in which Iran has a 15 percent stake. Flake voted against a Democratic measure that would have barred firms doing business with Iran from access to the U.S. copper.

Fred

Pinal County EPA report

This is a very interesting report recently released. I think this speaks to the air quality in West Pinal County currently and ever more toward the dangers of damaging the air even further if the tailings are able to just sit on the corner of US60 and Florence Jct turnoff.

One bad dust storm coming West and the Valley won't be able to breathe.

'Cause in a bad dust storm the rest of the desert isn't covered in dirt that blows into Phoenix?

The dry portions of tailing ponds can be (and are) covered in a variety of coagulants that significantly reduce the dust coming off them, relative to the surroundings. The mine I worked at for the last 7 years used a helicopter to spray the beach with an algae-based dust suppressant every spring just before it dried out.

ClimbandMine wrote:'Cause in a bad dust storm the rest of the desert isn't covered in dirt that blows into Phoenix? The dry portions of tailing ponds can be (and are) covered in a variety of coagulants that significantly reduce the dust coming off them, relative to the surroundings. The mine I worked at for the last 7 years used a helicopter to spray the beach with an algae-based dust suppressant every spring just before it dried out.

No offense but I think think tailing dust is likely to be more dangerous than soil. The fact that we already have dust in the area doesn't change the fact that any sane person does not want the tailing pile near them.

It's nice to hear that some means to mitigate the tailing dust can be employed, but I don't want to rely on RCM's word that they will eliminate the health risks associated with this waste pile.

I used to drive through Globe for many years and always marveled how the dust from the huge tailing dump would just blow up and down Globe. The cows were placed there rather recently. They have donated a lot of shit to the mine's cause.

The last thing we need is a huge dry pile of ore soaked in crap we don't need to breathe.

manuel rangel wrote:I used to drive through Globe for many years and always marveled how the dust from the huge tailing dump would just blow up and down Globe. The cows were placed there rather recently. They have donated a lot of shit to the mine's cause. The last thing we need is a huge dry pile of ore soaked in crap we don't need to breathe.

Is cow shit better or worse than human shit to manufacture topsoil in a place were none exists?

How about pig or sheep shit?

Are you sure the tailings piles hadn't been capped long ago and it wasn't just clay and dust from failed planting (topsoil) blowing off?

Geir wrote: No offense but I think think tailing dust is likely to be more dangerous than soil. The fact that we already have dust in the area doesn't change the fact that any sane person does not want the tailing pile near them. It's nice to hear that some means to mitigate the tailing dust can be employed, but I don't want to rely on RCM's word that they will eliminate the health risks associated with this waste pile.

They why do people in towns like Green Valley MOVE IN right next to pre-existing mine sites / tailings facilities like Sierrita? Its not like the mines are hiding. Its not like Magma wasn't there before either.

ClimbandMine wrote: They why do people in towns like Green Valley MOVE IN right next to pre-existing mine sites / tailings facilities like Sierrita? Its not like the mines are hiding. Its not like Magma wasn't there before either.

My guess is that the billboards on the highways that proclaim "Houses from the $120s" actually work. It's sad, but most people just don't know any better.

ClimbandMine wrote: They why do people in towns like Green Valley MOVE IN right next to pre-existing mine sites / tailings facilities like Sierrita? Its not like the mines are hiding. Its not like Magma wasn't there before either.

You have a point here, my statement was too broad. I should perhaps qualify my it: few sane people would knowingly choose to have a big wastepile of tailing next to their home.

I am all for a reasoned approach, though: if you can provide an exhaustive review of unbiased, controlled studies demonstrating that these waste products have no health risks than I will reconsider my position.

"Are you sure the tailings piles hadn't been capped long ago and it wasn't just clay and dust from failed planting (topsoil) blowing off?"

Does it matter what kind of dust was blowing in the town? It came from the pile the mine dumped right next to the highway. I'm sure Az has plenty of dust production already. We don't need a huge pile of any kind of shit next to the valley. It is already unhealthy and RCM only wants to add to our misery.

To be clear:
The Concerned Climbers of AZ and the Access Fund are perfectly aligned on this issue: opposition to the current land exchange legislation

DO NOT SINK THIS LAND!!!!

257 FIRE - OAK FLAT AND SURROUNDING AREA

Happening right now

I thought everyone should know

Linda

there is a sheriff posted at the Magma Mine road, don't plan on climbing at most places around Queen Creek for a while. Atlantis and the Pond is OK, but US60 could be shut down if the fire gets much worse.

The 257 fire is 100% contained and the access to Oak Flat campground is reopen

I do not know about the Devil's (Gaan) Canyon access or the refuge.

fire retardent plane

devil's is open. the fire went up to raptor ridge, and burned areas near the matchstick, godhead, and faulty towers. Getting around Godhead should be pretty easy now!

manuel rangel wrote:"Are you sure the tailings piles hadn't been capped long ago and it wasn't just clay and dust from failed planting (topsoil) blowing off?" Does it matter what kind of dust was blowing in the town? It came from the pile the mine dumped right next to the highway. I'm sure Az has plenty of dust production already. We don't need a huge pile of any kind of shit next to the valley. It is already unhealthy and RCM only wants to add to our misery.

RCM want to mine copper.

There is a difference between coal dust, silica dust, limestone dust, and salt dust. Ask a miner with silicosis or black lung.

The dust exposures in PHX are insignificant relative to what underground miners are exposed to (I'd imagine - not exactly up on city dwellers exposure data). Its what 3-5 dust storms a year? Sitting in traffic down there has to be worse for you than a couple dust storms.