Oak Flat News

kirra wrote: Negationism: The denial of historic crimes. The word is derived from the French term négationnisme, which means Holocaust denial. Holocaust denial is illegal in France and several other countries.

Well, I simply employed "negationism" as the broader form of revisionist history that denies any well established fact.

Curt

On the eve of the Senate hearing on legislation to privatize the protected 760 acre Oak Flat Camp Ground and an additional ~3 square miles of federal forest lands in order to mine at 7,000' below the surface in an environment that has been reported to be at 175 defF, an article about Rio Tinto's continuing efforts to automate many aspects of the mining process and operate things remotely. (Rio Tinto is the majority owner of Resolution Copper Mining, RCM, the Superior, Az based mining company pursuing the ownership of the Oak Flat lands)

An excerpt:

"Our industry is facing maturing orebodies, fewer tier-one deposits, increasingly complex geographies and labour shortages and the report details how innovation in autonomous technologies can play an important role in addressing these challenges,” said Rio’s head of innovation, John McGagh

He noted that the technologies currently being tested cemented Rio’s position in the field of mining innovation.

“In iron-ore, we are introducing automated trucks, blast-hole drill rigs, sorting machines and trains, all of which are capable of being controlled by our operations center in Perth, which already integrates our port, rail and mine logistics,” said McGagh


Note: Perth, where the operations center is located, is hundreds of miles to the south from the actual iron-ore mines in the Pilbara, Northwest Australia.

Here's the entire article: Rio Tinto says mine automation benefits outweigh costs

Fred AmRhein wrote:“In iron-ore, we are introducing automated trucks, blast-hole drill rigs, sorting machines and trains, all of which are capable of being controlled by our operations center in Perth, which already integrates our port, rail and mine logistics,” said McGagh Here's the entire article: Rio Tinto says mine automation benefits outweigh costs

So much for Jobs for AZ, eh? We already have known this tho'.

Fred, when I click on that link, the article doesn't come up, only the page to Mining Weekly.

BTW

NO SUBSIDENCE!!!!

Lindajft wrote: So much for Jobs for AZ, eh? We already have known this tho'. Fred, when I click on that link, the article doesn't come up, only the page to Mining Weekly.

Linda,

It seems to work ok for me but I have to open it in a new window? Anybody else have trouble with it?

I guess the point here for many in the very local community (Superior, etc.) would be that it appears that the future of many mining activities looks to be automated processes.

That's not all bad, there will be some jobs locally, but perhaps many of the higher tech jobs like remote operators, programmers, etc., will be located outside of the local rural area, Phoenix? LA? Certainly there is no certainty as to what jobs will materialize nor what community/region they would benefit if they do.

If you'll recall, there were amendments offered to the House Bill by Rep. Raul Grijalva to make sure that the jobs that Rio/RCM was projecting/promising would be located in the vicinity. This amendment was rejected by the majority in power in the House.

That's some interesting background.

Fred

More discussion about automated mining by Rio Tinto (Superior, Az's Resolution Copper's majority partner)

Resolution and their operations are discussed here:

Automated Mining by Rio Tinto in Australia and the US

An excerpt:

"Opponents of proposed new Rio Tinto projects in the United States think the “Mine of the Future” project means locals should not believe promises of well-paying jobs. In Superior, Ariz., where Rio Tinto is trying to open a massive new copper mine, during a reporting trip last fall many local residents pointed to company materials touting the Mine of the Future and said they feared that robots, not humans, would be doing many of the jobs if the mine opens.

Jobs aka crumbs.

If this deal is going to happen, the only half-way legit way would be an auction with the proceeds being used for restoration (funds kept as copper since the dollar is going to be toast).

The jobs won't last and you'll be left with a dry, sunken hole with no way to repair it.

/cap'n obvious

Oak Flat is warming up so people are gearing up to head elsewhere. Meantime, the topic of the Oak Flat Land Exchange continues to get more discussion and media coverage.

Here's a link to an episode of The Lou Show on UStream where Roy Chavez, the Chair of the Concerned Citizens and Retired Miners of Superior offers a fairly comprehensive view of history, economic and environmental impact, and recent developments related to the proposed privatization of the Federally protected Oak Flat Campground and surrounding Federal lands.

ustream.tv/recorded/2136594…

An interesting bit of information:

According to Mr. Chavez, Rio Tinto/Resolution is in the process of attempting to privatize State Trust Land between the bend of US 60 at Florence Junction and the top of the road at Gonzalez Pass (the hill you come to the top of before Superior as you head out from Phoenix).

Evidently Rio/Resolution wants to use this area of relatively pristine upper Sonoran Desert lands for millions/billions of tons of waste rock and process byproduct.

As I recall, the Superstition Vistas development will be right next door and that projected development over the next few generations anticipates about 1,000,000 new residents. I wonder how they'll keep all that pulverized dust from blowing over the new homes in the summer dust storms? Just one question about the quality of life that this proposed project may lead to for the Valley.

Roy, a former Mayor and Miner in Superior, has quite a bit of good info.

Hope it helps.

Fred

Anyone attend the gathering out at Oak Flats this weekend?

If so, how was it?

Linda

Yes, I attended the "Save Oak Flat" picnic at the campground yesterday. It was a nice turnout of the Concerned Citizens, Retired Miners, Concerned Climbers and AZ Mining Reform groups--plus some folks who just happened to be out there and dropped by to sign the petition to save Oak Flat.

Curt

The land exchange issue continues to get press; sometimes in oblique ways.

Here's a link to a recent article by the National Journal, Flake’s Past as Lobbyist at Odds With His Image

The issue of Rio Tinto's interest in the uranium mining operation (for which Az Representative Jeff Flake, R-Az, Az's 6th Congressional District advocated as a Washington-based lobbyist in the 90's) came up in the Senate land exchange hearing earlier this year.

A notable excerpt from the NJ article: "When asked this week about having worked for a company partially owned by Iran, Flake said, “I didn’t know it at the time, so I don’t know how I could have thoughts on it now.”

And in response to criticism about his past "Washington insider" lobbying efforts from his rival for retiring Sen. Jon Kyl's Senate seat, Rep. Flake responds that "That dog don't hunt."

Hope it helps.

Fred

kirra wrote:hi Curt- Would this be a (new)different petition then what had circulated recently on AzMiningReform ? do you need more signatures (i want 2sign) -is there an online link? happy earth day... save the earth- Save Oak Flat !!!

Same one Kirra

kirra wrote:hi Curt- Would this be a (new)different petition then what had circulated recently on AzMiningReform ? do you need more signatures (i want 2sign) -is there an online link? happy earth day... save the earth- Save Oak Flat !!!

Kirra, thanks. The petition is one and the same.

Curt

Here's another somewhat relevant item...

accessfund.org/site/apps/nl…

Curt

Curt,

I am a little confused. The QCC is now a 501c3 and in active negotiations with RCM according to their Facebook page. The Access Fund is fighting against the Oak Flat Land Exchange Bill. Does this mean that we still have two groups representing climbers that are pursuing two opposing and mutually exclusive paths? Any light you (or anyone else) could shed on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

NC Rock Climber wrote:Curt, I am a little confused. The QCC is now a 501c3 and in active negotiations with RCM according to their Facebook page. The Access Fund is fighting against the Oak Flat Land Exchange Bill. Does this mean that we still have two groups representing climbers that are pursuing two opposing and mutually exclusive paths? Any light you (or anyone else) could shed on this issue would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

It's perhaps not quite as confusing as it may first appear. As of this post, the most recent bill (H.R.1904) and its provisions are uniformly opposed by the Access Fund, the CCA and the QCC--due to RCM's failure to adequately address climbing related issues. It is good that the climbing community continues to engage with RCM, just as it is proper that the climbing community continues to raise its various concerns with congress, the administration and the general public.

Curt

Thanks for the reply, Curt! It is great to see that the various climber groups are aligned against this bill. What can individuals do to ensure that climbers continue to have access to Queen Creek and that this area is preserved for future generations?

NC Rock Climber wrote:Thanks for the reply, Curt! It is great to see that the various climber groups are aligned against this bill. What can individuals do to ensure that climbers continue to have access to Queen Creek and that this area is preserved for future generations?

Signing the petition mentioned in the posts above is a good start, if you haven't already done so.

salsa.democracyinaction.org…

Thanks. We need everyone's help.

Curt

@NC - Get educated on the proposals on the table, you can find countless links to the various articles on the table through out these threads and links to the congress people - reach out to them - fax them, call them, email them - Let them hear your voice

I'm a student in Prescott AZ, There is a huge climbing community here all in close proximity. Also, most of the students here are generally opposed to the loss of beautiful natural places in exchange for 'resources', as we all should be in my opinion. What can I do here in Prescott to help? Petitions? I'm relatively new to this activism stuff so I might need some beta. Thank you all SO MUCH for everything you're doing, I am ready to do whatever I need to do here in Prescott to help.