Mining Focus iss1.5.12 - Mining Rocks

MINING IS INTEGRAL TO YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE!

ININGWINTER 2011.2012

THE UTAH MINING ASSOCIATION

POTASH: THE FUEL FOR FOOD

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2 MINING IS INTEGRAL TO YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE!

“Being involved with award-winning environmental cleanup projects, advancing scientific innovations and achieving our safety goals makes me proud to work for EnergySolutions.”

LAB TECHNICIAN, CLIVE FACILITY

Sam Stanley

ENERGYSOLUTIONS.COM

3MINING FOCUS

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President’s MessageAt a time when public attention is focused on workplace safety in mines, the industry in Utah has seen phenomenal collaboration amongst mine management, employees, academia, labor, government, and industry experts, who are all relentlessly dedicated to eliminating hazards for miners.

Todd R. Bingham, President

Importance of MiningMining is fi rst and foremost a source of mineral commodities that all countries fi nd essential for maintaining and improving their standards of living.

Mining Safety: How Far We’ve ComeOver the last century, and most especially in the last couple decades, mining has become one of the most regulated and monitored industries in the U.S., and we have developed better technology and have seen huge improvements in safety.

Utah Mining Association awards 15 companies for Outstanding Safety RecordsThe vast majority of the companies presented with awards worked throughout all of 2010 without a single accident or incident in their respective mines.

What’s It Made Of?Aluminum, Calcium Carbonate, Clay, Coal, Iron, Mica, Sulfur, Silica, Talc, Wollastonite make up a Skateboard.

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Potash: The Fuel For FoodPotash plays a central role in helping feed the world’s growing population.

What’s in a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb?CFLs are made of soda-lime glass, similar to that used throughout the glass industry for bottles and other common products.

What’s in my Cell Phone?The National Research Council (NRC) of the National Acad-emies Critical Minerals Report states that cell phones contain indium, titanium dioxide (for the dielectric heart of the phone), and indium tin oxide (in the liquid crystal display).

Governor VisitsLast June, Governor Gary R. Herbert visited Arch Coal’s Sufco Mine in Sevier County to kick off his 10-year state en-ergy plan. Sufco is the longest continuously operating under-ground coal mine west of the Mississippi, operating for more than 70 years.

Mining Coal: How Important Is It?As an abundant natural resource, coal has been important to Earth’s inhabitants for thousands of years.

If it Can’t Be Grown, It has to Be Mined!

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OFFICERS:Chairman – Bryan Nielsen, Graymont Western US

Vice Chairman – Robert Frayser, Lisbon Valley Mining

1st Vice Pres. – Cindy Crane, Interwest Mining Companyand Fuel Resources

2nd Vice Pres. – Josh Brown, Kennecott Utah Copper

President – Todd R. Bingham, Utah Mining Association

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:Louis Cononelos, Rio Tinto Services

David R. Bird, Parsons Behle & Latimer

Rob Campbell, Wheeler Machinery Company

Ken May, Canyon Fuel Company - SUFCO

Robert F. Weyher, Jr., Terra Engineering & Construction Company

Alex Boulton, Materion Natural Resources

Wess Sorensen, Canyon Fuel Company - Skyline

Terry Maio, Kennecott Utah Copper

Ted Himebaugh, Kennecott Utah Copper

Gina Crezee, Rio Tinto | Kennecott

James Jensen, Savage Companies

Kevin Anderson, Fabian and Clendenin

Mark Krall, Simplot Phosphates

BOARD MEMBERS:Robert Bayer, JBR Environmental Consultants

Rosemary Beless, Fabian & Clendenin

Brent Bettolo, Fairmont Supply Company

Jimmy Brock, Consol Energy

Mark Buchi, Holland & Hart

Scott Child, Interwest Mining Company

John Davis, Holland & Hart

Denise Dragoo, Snell & Wilmer

Robert Evans, Norwest Corporation

Reggie Farlaino, Phillips Machine

Stuart Green, American Gilsonite

James Holtkamp, Holland & Hart

John S. Kirkham, Stoel Rives LLP

Michael Lehman, Intrepid Potash - Wendover

Don Lewon, Utah Metal Works

Keith Morgan, Morton Salt

James Patten, Red Leaf Resources

Kim Robinson, Robinson Transport, Inc.

Erwin Sass, Canyon Fuel Co. - Dugout

Bruce D. Whitehead, W.S. Adamson & Assoc.

Rick York, Intrepid Potash - Moab LLC

136 South Main Street, Suite 709, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Tel.: 801-364-1874 • Fax: 801-364-2640

www.utahmining.org

THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISERS FOR

MAKING THIS PUBLICATION POSSIBLE:

Energy Solutions........................................Page 2Ames Construction, Inc.............................Page 2Tram Electric, Inc. ......................................Page 7Wagstaff Crane............................................Page 11Utah Metal Works........................................Page 11Snell & Wilmer.............................................Page 13Materion Natural Resources .....................Page 16Simplot.........................................................Page 19Cate Equipment Company.........................Page 19Holcim..........................................................Page 19P&H Mining Equipment ..............................Page 25Joy Mining Machinery................................ Page 25Phillips Machine Service, Inc. – West......Page 26Graymont.....................................................Page 26Rio Tinto.......................................................Page 27Savage Services..........................................Page 28

If you are interested in advertising information, please contact Jason Bybee at 801.746.4003 or 855.745.4003.

[email protected]

The Mining Focus is published four times each year by The newsLINK Group, LLC for the Utah Mining Association (UMA) and is the offi cial publication for this association. The Mining Focus carries UMA’s voice and mission of promoting and encouraging education in mining and minerals to further the understanding of the role this critical industry and its products play in people’s lives and to foster a spirit of community cooperation. The Mining Focus is one of the ways the UMA communicates its vital message to its members, prospective members, suppliers, educators (specifi cally those educators that teach mining as part of their required curriculum), the professional public, policy makers and other interested parties. The information contained in this publication is intended to provide general information for review and consideration. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you need legal advice or assistance, it is strongly recommended that you contact an attorney as to your specifi c circumstances. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the UMA, its board of directors, or the publisher. Likewise, the appearance of advertisements within this publication does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any product or service advertised.

The Mining Focus is a collaborative work and as such some articles are submitted by authors that are independent of the UMA. While the Mining Focus encourages a fi rst print policy, in cases where this is not possible, every effort has been made to comply with any known reprint guidelines or restrictions.

Content may not be reproduced or reprinted without prior written permission. For further information,

please contact the publisher at: 855.747.4003.

©2012 Utah Mining Association | The newsLINK Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

5MINING FOCUS

A t a time when public attention is focused on workplace s a f e t y i n m i n e s , t h e industry in Utah has seen

phenomenal collaboration amongst mine management, employees, academia, labor, government, and industry experts, who are all relentlessly dedicated to eliminating hazards for miners. This growing awareness for safety across the state and the nation has led the industry in a dramatic decrease of mining injuries in the past few years.

According to Bureau of Labor statistics, mining actually has a substantially better safety record than most other industries, including construction, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and agriculture, forestry, f ishing and hunting. What’s more, statistics show that miners face more dangers when driving to and from work every day than they do while at work.

Our success in safety is a direct result from statewide and national efforts, as we take advantage of the collective wisdom and advice from industry experts on health and safety in mining. Below are some of those agencies and programs:

• Utah’s Office of Coal Mine Safety (OCMS) exists to maximize coal mine safety, prevent coal mine accidents, and provide for effective coal mine accident response in the State of Utah. The OCMS is directed by David (Kent) Houghton, who has been in the Utah coal mining industry for over 37 years. He has a thorough understanding of mining and provides advice regarding the safety challenges our industry faces today.

• The Mine Safety Program in the Department of Mining Engineering at the University of Utah provides state-of-the-art training in mine safety to students in the College of Mines and Earth Sciences. This is the best time to train the future leaders of our industry — before they enter the fi eld. Prospective mining engineers graduate with an in-depth understanding that safety is fundamental to success in mining.

• The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforces compliance with safety

and health standards in mines across the nation. MSHA devotes a substantial effort in retaining highly qualifi ed and trained inspectors, ensuring the safety for our valued miners.

Mining is critical to our everyday life. As we work together with the above organizations and others dedicated to safety, we will continue to meet the demands of the public and other economic needs, while providing a safe workplace for our miners and other professionals in the industry.

Statistics show that miners face

more dangers when driving to and from work every day than at work.

MINING UTAH

Todd R. Bingham, President

SAFELY


IMPORTANCE OF

MININGM ining is first and foremost

a s o u r c e o f m i n e r a l c ommod i t i es t ha t a l l countr ies f ind vital for

maintain ing and improving their standards of living. Mined materials are needed to construct roads and hospitals, to build automobiles and houses, to make computers and satellites, to generate electricity, and to provide the many other goods and services that consumers enjoy.

In addition, mining is economically vital to producing regions and countries. It provides employment, dividends, and taxes that pay for hospitals, schools, and public facilities. The mining industry produces a trained workforce and small businesses that can service communities and may initiate related businesses. Mining also yields foreign exchange and accounts for a significant portion of gross domestic product. Mining fosters a number of associated activities, such as manufactur ing of mining equipment, provision of engineering and environmental services, and the development of wor ld - c lass universities in the fields of geology, mining engineering, and metallurgy. The economic oppor tuni t ies and wealth generated by mining for many producing countries are substantial.

MINING AND THE U.S. ECONOMYMining is particularly important to the U.S. economy because the United States is one of the world’s largest consumers of mineral products and one of the world’s largest producers. In fact, the United States is the world’s largest single consumer of many mineral commodities.

The United States satisfi es some of its huge demand for mineral commodities by imports. For decades, the country has imported alumina and aluminum, iron ore and steel, manganese, tin, copper, and other mineral commodities. Never theless, the country is also a major producing country and a net expor ter of a several mineral commodities, most notably gold. The United States produces huge quantities of coal, iron ore, copper, phosphate rock, and zinc, as well as many other mineral commodities that are either exported directly or used in products that can be exported.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the value of the nonfuel mineral commodities produced in the United States by mining totaled some $39 billion in 1999 (USGS, 2000). The value of processed materials of mineral origin produced in the United States in 1999 was estimated to be $422 billion (USGS, 2000). U.S. production of coal in 1999 was 1,094

million short tons, which represents an estimated value of $27 billion (EIA, 1999). However, the true contribution of mining to the U.S. economy is not fully reflected in these figures. For example, the economic impact of energy from coal, which produces 22 percent of the nation’s energy and about 56 percent of its electricity, is not included.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Commence estimates that the number of people directly employed in metal mining is about 45,000, in coal about 80,000, and in industr ia l minerals about 114,000 (U.S. Department of Labor, 2000). Together these figures account for less than 1 percent of the country’s tota l employment in the goods-producing sector (U.S. Department of Labor, 2000). The low employment number reflects the great advances in technology and productivity in all mining sectors and lower production costs.

7MINING FOCUS


MININGMINING SAFETYSAFETYHOW FAR WE’VE COME

S ince prehistoric times, people have been mining the earth’s resources. In the early days, mining was considered one

of the most dangerous jobs. Over the last century, and most especially in the last couple decades, mining has become one of the most regulated and monitored industries in the U.S., and we have developed better technology and have seen huge improvements in safety. We’ve come long way from the primitive techniques and tools such as using canaries to alert us to changes in air composition deep in our mines. From highly sophisticated temperature and

gas monitoring systems, PED systems, advanced respiratory protective devices, and intelligent wireless networking, to improved training practices and federal and state laws regulating the industry, safety coverage is extended to all types of miners.

“In the last two years, Utah has had zero fatalities and the accident rate in our mines is very low compared to the national average,” said Kent Houghton, Director of the State’s Offi ce of Coal

Mine Safety (OCMS). He credits this success to better safety awareness and advanced comprehensive training programs.

“We are fortunate to have some very conscientious mining companies in our state that have excellent safety training programs and their mines are well managed,” said Houghton. “The OCMS serves the state and the industry by providing leadership in the areas of safety, training, education, technical

“We are fortunate to have some

very conscientious mining companies in our state that

have excellent safety training programs and their

mines are well managed.”

9MINING FOCUS

T h e r e a r e s eve r a l r e a s o n s

safety in the mining industry has

dramatically improved over the

last century. Milestones include:

• 1910 — U.S. Bureau of Mines. Primary roles were to conduct safety research, advise the mining industry, and provide safety trainings to miners.

• 1969 — Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. Known as the Coal Act, it addressed safety in the underground and surface mining of coal.

• 1973 — Mining Enforcement and Safety Admin is t ra t ion (MESA). I t assumed responsibilities of the Bureau of Mines and was the predecessor of MHSA.

• 1977 — Federal Mine Safety and Health Act. As an amendment to the Coal Act, standards and procedures were more comprehensive and stringent than the previous legislation.

• 1977 — Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). This present standard enforces compliance with mandatory safety and health standards of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act.

• 2006 — Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act. Also known as the MINER Act, it amended the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, and improves safety and health U.S. mines.

In addition to vastly improved legislation, the mining industry sees advances in technology and communication every year leading to immeasurably safer and more effective mining equipment and systems, safer mining methods, increased safety awareness and effective accident prevention programs, and a greater partnership of safety among the industry, labor and government.

development and disaster planning,” said Houghton. “This helps the coal mine industry meet their safety objectives and provide for the safety of the coal miners.”

More improvements are always on the horizon for Utah mining, including “greater emphasis on foundational aspects of mining organizations such as culture and leadership, both of which are critical to optimize safety performance,” says Tom Hethmon, Western Mining Presidential Endowed Chair in Mine Safety at the University of Utah. “We are learning that these factors are real, measurable and manageable. I’m encouraged to see the Utah Mining Association play a proactive role in bringing these ideas to its members through seminars and other mechanisms.”

In addition to better available safety training, a more cooperative effort for safety was born with the creation of the OCMS. “We visit each of Utah’s mines every quarter, talk to the safety departments, and answer any questions,” said Houghton.” During these frequent visits, we are able to monitor the technology and safety programs and then make recommendations to the state to make necessary changes in moving toward safer, more effi cient methods and improved training practices.”

Additionally, the OCMS works closely with Utah’s smaller mines that don’t have the resources for advanced training programs.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is responsible for safety regulating of mining operations. Regular MSHA inspections include activities relating to hoisting, ventilation, ground control, load haul and dump, health sampling, and others.

“Preventing mining disasters remains the top priority for both the OCMS and MHSA,” said Houghton.” It requires constant vigilance by mine management; employees, labor and government, and we’re here to provide assistance.”


Utah Mining Association awards 15 companies for

T he Utah Mining Association (UMA) presented 15 awards to individual companies for demonstrating exemplary and

outstanding safety performances during the previous year at the 96th Annual Utah Mining Association Convention held in Park City, Utah. The vast majority of the companies presented with awards worked throughout all of 2010 without a single accident or incident in their respective mines.

U.S. mining has made signif icant advances in improving the health and safety of its workforce. In 2009, 87 percent of the nation’s mines operated without a losttime injury. Utah consistently ranks higher than the national average in terms of safety. Over

the last three years, more than $800 million has been invested in new safety technology and training at U.S. mines. To achieve continued improvement in mine safety and health, the mining industry promotes health and safety as a core value. It strives to instill the values of safety leadership, accountability and personal involvement in every employee and to provide them with the required training and tools to prevent fatalities, injuries or occupational illnesses. U.S. mines are regulated by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) in the U.S. Department of Labor.

In an effort to demonstrate that meeting the national average does not merit award, companies recognized for safety achievements by the UMA this past year

were required to have an incident rate of at least half the national average.

Meaning Utah’s companies awarded are twice as safe as the national average for mining companies in the various mining categories.

UMA Chairman Bryan Nielson of Graymont Western noted, “Mining companies are continually improving the culture of safety within their various organizations.

“The goal of zero accidents within the industry is attainable. Current efforts by mining companies demonstrate that the mining industry in Utah is providing a safe and excellent work environment. This environment is critical for an industry that continues to be a driving force for the economy here in the state.”

Safety RecordsOutstanding

11MINING FOCUS

Recycling industrial-related scrap metal is one of the things we do best!

www.umw.com | 801.364.5679

Utah Metal Works, Inc.

Graymont Western – Cricket Mountain Plant

Canyon Fuel CompanySUFCO MineSkyline Mine

Dugout Canyon Mine

Rio Tinto / Kennecott Utah CopperRefi nery

Bingham CanyonCopperton Concentrator

Tailing and Water ServicesPower Plant Operations

Materion Natural Resources

Simplot Phosphates

Denison Mines – White Mesa Mill

Norwest Corporation

The Brahma Group

Joy Mining Machinery

Terra Engineering & Construction

Ames Construction

UTAH MINING COMPANIES AWARDED AT THE 96TH ANNUAL UTAH MINING ASSOCIATION CONVENTION


MADE OF?BATTERIES: Antimony, Cadmium, Lead, Zinc

BICYCLE: Aluminum, Clay, Diatomite, Mica, Sulfur, Selenium, Wollastonite, Zinc

BOOKS: Clay, Limestone, Sodium Sulfate, Feldspar

BRICKS: Bauxite, Chromite, Zircon, Silica, Graphite, Kyanite, Andaluste, Sillimanite, Clays

CAR: Platinum, Iron, Aluminum, Lead, Coal, Barite, Boron, Calcium Carbonate, Bentonite, Silica, Chromium, Perlite, Wollastonite, Mica, Industrial Diamonds, Zeolite, Clays

CARPET: Limestone, Selenium, Lime, Soda Ash, Zeolite, Bentonite, Titanium, Sulfur, Diatomite, Petroleum Products

CEMENT: Limestone, Gypsum, Iron, Clays, Diatomite, Feldspar

CHALK: Limestone

CLOTHING: Boron, Halite, Molybdenum, Sulfur

COMPUTER: Aluminum, Antimony, Barite, Beryllium, Cobalt, Columbium, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Gold, Indium, Iron, Lanthanides, Lithium, Manganese, Mercury, Mica, Molybdenum, Nickel, Platinum, Quartz, Rhenium, Selenium, Silver, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Tungsten, Vanadium, Yttrium, Zinc, Zirconium

COSMETICS: Iron, Silica, Limestone, Talc

DESK: Copper, Iron, Zinc, Nickel

DIGITAL ALARM CLOCK: Boron, Copper, Gold, Quartz

DOORKNOB: Iron

DRINKING GLASS: Boron, Silica

ELECTRICAL CORDS, OUTLET (ELECTRICITY): Coal, Copper

GLASS: Silica Sand, Feldspar, Trona

LIGHTS: Aluminum, Copper, Beryllium (fl orescent), Tungsten (incandescent), Tin, Nickel

LINOLEUM: Limestone, Clay, Wollastonite, Petroleum Products

MAGAZINE: Clay, Kaolin, Sodium Sulfate, Titanium

PAINT: Titanium Oxide, Clays, Limestone, Mica, Talc, Silica, Copper, Fluorspar, Iron, Tungsten, Zinc, Cadmium

PAPER: Boron, Clay, Kaolin, Sulfur, Talc, Titanium, Trona

PENCILS: Graphite, Clays

PENCIL SHARPENER: Iron, Copper, Zinc

PENS: Limestone, Wollastonite, Mica, Talc, Clay, Silica, Petroleum Products, Sulfur

PHOTOGRAPH: Chromium, Silver, Sulfur

PLASTER WALL: Gypsum, Perlite

PLASTIC: Limestone, Wollastonite, Coal, Talc, Silica, Petroleum Products

RUBBER: Sulfur

SIDEWALK: Sand, Gravel, Gypsum, Iron, Dolomite, Diatomite, Limestone

SKATEBOARD: Aluminum, Calcium Carbonate, Clay, Coal, Iron, Mica, Sulfur, Silica, Talc, Wollastonite

SODA CAN: Aluminum

TELEPHONE: Aluminum, Beryllium, Coal, Copper, Gold, Iron, Limestone, Silica, Silver, Talc, Wollastonite

TELEVISION SET: Aluminum, Antimony, Barite, Beryllium, Cobalt, Columbium, Copper, Europium, Gallium, Germanium, Gold, Indium, Iron, Kaolin, Lanthanides, Limestone, Lithium, Manganese, Mercury, Mica, Molybdenum, Platinum, Rhenium, Selenium, Silica, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Terbium, Tin, Titanium, Vanadium, Yttrium, Zinc, Zirconium

TENNIS RACKET: Graphite

WALLPAPER: Mica, Trona

WINDOW: Feldspar, Irona, Silica, Trona

WHAT’S IT

13MINING FOCUS

Who Knew?95% of the consumption of Potash is used for fertilizer; however, the remaining 5% is used for:

Aluminum recycling

Metal Electroplating

Drilling Fluid in Oil Wells

Snow & Ice Melt

Industrial Water Treatment

Cement

Fire Extinguishers

Soap Manufacturing

Photographic chemicals

Textile Manufacturing

Brewing Beer

Pharmaceutical Preparations

Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing

www.swlaw.com

DENVER | LAS VEGAS | LOS ANGELES | LOS CABOS | ORANGE COUNTY | PHOENIX | SALT LAKE CITY | TUCSON

The test of time.

Straight talk. Sound counsel. Practical solutions. At Snell & Wilmer, some things never change.


POTASH: THE FUEL FOR FOOD

THE GHOST OF THOMAS MALTHUSIn 1798, a 32 year-old British economist, Thomas Malthus, anonymously published a rather grim work called “An Essay on the Principle of Population” and in it he argued that while human population increases geometrically (1, 2, 4, 16 etc.), their food supply can only increase arithmetically (1, 2, 3, 4 etc.). Since food is obviously necessary for us all to survive, Malthus felt that unchecked population growth in any one area or involving the whole planet would lead to individual pockets of humanity starving or even mass worldwide starvation.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of July 1, 2011, world population is estimated to be 6.94 billion. Current projections show a continued increase

in population numbers and by 2050, the world’s population will be hovering around nine billion.

Providing food for so many is a demanding task that involves many signifi cant issues and challenges. Even today, too many people are hungry and in some parts of the world are starving. Unfortunately, there is not just one, single easy answer.

The U.N. is calling the looming global food crisis a “silent tsunami” and faith in the ability of local and global commodity markets to fi ll the 6.6 billion bellies we currently have, never mind the projected 2.7 billion more by 2050, is a world-wide concern that is growing in both attention and the aggressive search for solutions.

GETTING ENOUGH FOODGoing forward there are circumstances that are going to greatly impact the availability of arable land and commodities demand. One of the greatest threats facing us is the loss of arable land that was once used for food production. Land is being used for other purposes, topsoil is eroded away by wind and water, and the agriculture land base is being paved over as we become more and more urbanized.

Along with the growing population is also the growing desire to adopt a “western style” diet. The more people there are on this planet and the more people that decide they want a western style diet the more grains/oilseeds are needed to feed them. And many of those very same grains are needed to raise the protein – the beef, pork and chicken – they want. It takes two pounds of grain to make a pound of poultry, four pounds to make a pound of pork and seven to make a pound of beef.

The reality is that farming practices are going to have to improve and every possible acre that can be planted is going to have to be utilized and producing at its optimal level. Because we have to grow more food on a shrinking agricultural land base, while using often depleting supplies of fresh water, the question becomes: how do farmers grow enough for everyone? This is obviously an overwhelming task — and one that could still use considerable improvement. No one should ever go hungry or starve for lack of food.

However, when people do get fed well it is because of a humble fertilizer you’ve probably never given a thought to: potash.

Potash plays a central role in helping feed the world’s growing population.

POTASH 101Potash is a fertilizer that is made from potassium (K). Potash got its name in Europe where there was a long

Essentially, potash is food. Without potash, there is no grain and without grain, there is no beef,

pork or chicken to support the

world’s growing demand.

15MINING FOCUS

tradition of burning wood or seaweed and leaching the ashes in water. Then the solution was evaporated in large iron pots. What was left was a hard, white residue called “pot ash.”

In the ground, potash ore looks like a mixture of red and white crystals with traces of clay and other impurities. It is a soft, crumbly mineral, and it has a silvery look when freshly exposed. After processing, it is white in its pure form. Some impurities will give it a pink color.

The mineral’s name refers to several forms of potassium salt, the most important being potassium chloride or KCL. It is one of the world’s three important fertilizers. Used in combination with nitrogen and phosphate, potash increases the yields of such important crops as corn, soybeans, coffee, and rice.

Potassium is, in its various compounds, very abundant throughout the Earth’s crust – it is the seventh most abundant element in the crust. Yet, paradoxically and unfortunately, deposits of potassium compounds – potash – which can be economically claimed are actually not that common.

Good deposits are rare and only 12 countries produce potash. The top producing country is Canada, followed by Russia, Belarus, Germany, and the U.S. Here in the U.S., two potash mines are located in Utah (Moab and Wendover). Other potash producers are Israel, Jordan, Brazil, and China. The Canadian province of Saskatchewan holds more than 50% of the world’s potash reserves – enough to meet global demand for several hundred years – and has 37% of current global production capacity. Lesser producers include Chile, Spain and the UK.

Nearly 95% of global potash production is currently used as fertilizer and for very good reasons.

POTASH AND PLANTS – A HAPPY COMBINATIONPlants have even more potassium in them than they have nitrogen, making

potassium a key nutrient for plant development. This is because potassium is something every healthy plant needs in order to grow. Potassium: • Prevents premature ripening, • Helps plants recover from frost damage

or being waterlogged,• Builds thicker and stronger cell walls

in plants that are better able to resist predators,

• Increases the size and weight of grain,• Increases resistance to drought, and • Decreases the likelihood of plant

disease

Potash is part of a long farming cycle that has been going on as early as the third century BC, in the form of manure and ashes. Of course, the Romans did not realize that it was potassium; they just knew these materials made their plants fl ourish.

Potash, is the workhorse of plant nutrition:• Because it recycles so well, it is

sustainable in farming. • The potassium it contains balances

nutrients such as nitrates by helping plants absorb them more effi ciently.

• That same potassium helps water and nutrients move within the plant.

Fertilizers are needed to obtain high yields because they supply crops with the nutrients the soil lacks. By adding fertilizers, crop yields can often be doubled or even tripled. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Fertilizer Programme undertook extensive demonstrations and trials in 40 countries over a period of 25 years. The weighted average increase resulting

from the best fertilizer treatment for wheat was about 60%.

Fertilizers ensure the most effective use of both land and water. Where rainfall is low or crops are irrigated, the yield per unit of water used may be more than doubled and the rooting depth of the crop increased through fertilizer application.

When one considers the enormous number of people who need to be fed, and the fact that potash, especially, is both abundant and easily mined in certain areas, using potash to fertilize soil continues to be one of the smartest things a farmer can do. The agricultural use of potash as a fertilizer is a big part of the solution for feeding the world’s hungry people. It may be an old tool, but its use is still indispensable when it comes to growing nutritious food.

THE FUTUREThe world demand for potassium has increased over the last few years and current demand – worldwide – is a staggering 55 million tons per year. Assuming even a modest 2% growth in demand, the truth is, the world will need a new potash mine every two years.

Essentially, potash is food. Without potash, there is no grain and without grain, there is no beef, pork or chicken to support the world’s growing demand.

While potash is far from the most glamorous product of the global mining industry; it is, however, one of the most important commodities mining provides to the world.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb?• Barite (for phosphor).

• Bauxite (alumina for phosphor; aluminum for end caps & filaments).

• Copper (end caps; filaments).

• Lead (soda-lime glass; ballast; adapter unit).

• Limestone or Dolomite (finely-crushed stone to make soda-lime glass).

• Mercury (vapor in glass tubing).

• Nickel (end caps; filaments).

• Phosphate Rock (phosphor).

• Rare Earth Oxides (Lanthanum or Yttrium for phosphor).

• Silica (glass).

• Soda Ash (soda-lime glass).

• Manganese (phosphor).

• Tin (end caps; filaments; glass coatings).

• Tungsten (electrodes; filaments).

• Zinc (end caps; filaments).

Reprinted with permission and adapted from the Mineral Information Institute. For more information, visit www.mii.org.

What’s in a

INTERESTING FACTS• CFLs are known as compact fluorescent lights or com-

pact fluorescent light bulbs. In a CFL, an electric current is driven through a glass tube containing argon and a small amount of mercury vapor. This generates invisible ultravio-let light that excites a fluorescent coating (called phosphor) on the inside of the tube, which then emits visible light.

• CFLs are made of soda-lime glass, similar to that used throughout the glass industry for bottles and other com-mon products.

• Phosphor in a CFL is a phosphate mix that may contain manganese, rare elements such as lanthanum, and yttrium as either an oxide or a phosphate, along with a barium/aluminum oxide. Phosphor components may vary slightly depending on the color of the lamp.

• While a regular (incandescent) light bulb uses heat to pro-duce light, a fluorescent bulb creates light using an entirely different method that is 4 to 6 times more energy-efficient.

This means that a 15-watt CFL produces the same amount of light as a 60-watt regular incandescent bulb. CFLs last up to 13 times longer and use 2/3 to 3/4 less electricity than incandescent bulbs with similar lumen ratings.

• CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 4 milligrams. By compari-son, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury – an amount equal to the mercury in 125 CFLs. Mercury is an essential part of CFLs; it allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact (not broken) or in use. Because the CFLs contain mercury, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages their recycling after they burn out. In some states, CFL recycling may be mandatory.

• China supplies 97% of the world’s supply of rare earths, which are used in a variety of products.

• The U.S. possesses the largest non-China rare earth re-source in the world at the Mountain Pass Mine in California.

MEMBER PROFILE


Cell Phone?• Arsenic (gallium arsenide in the

amplifier and receiver). • Beryllium (grounding clips and

audio jacks).• Copper (circuitry). • Gallium (gallium arsenide). • Gold (circuitry). • Magnesium compounds (phone

case). • Palladium (circuitry). • Platinum (circuitry). • Silver (circuitry). • Tungsten (circuitry). • A multitude of petroleum products

are used in cellular phones.

DID YOU KNOW…The National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies Critical Minerals Report states that cell phones contain indium, titanium dioxide (for the dielectric heart of the phone), and indium tin oxide (in the liquid crystal display). The NRC Report also states that “the technological barrier to cellular communication was overcome only in the 1970s with the discovery of barium titanate ceramics. These ceramics possess the requisite dielectric properties for avoiding signal broadening and heat buildup, while operating over a wide temperature range at a consistent frequency. Other essential components of the cellular telephone include ceramic magnetic switches that contain rare earth elements (REs) and indium and the base stations for the cell phone networks that also use the element indium, as well as tantalum.”

INTERESTING FACTS• About 130 million cell phones are retired annually in the United States.

Collectively, these cell phones weigh about 14,000 metric tons. Annu-ally retired cell phones contain almost 2,100 metric tons of copper, 46 metric tons of silver, 3.9 metric tons of gold, 2 metric tons of palladium, and 0.04 metric tons of platinum.

• Recovery and recycling of cell phones are in the early stages of develop-ment, as is the case for recycling of electronics in general. For cell phone recycling to grow, recycling must become economically viable. Efficient recovery infrastructure, product designs that simplify dismantling, and other changes are needed to facilitate the growth of cell phone recycling.

• Gallium arsenide is used in the amplifier and receiver.• Magnesium compounds are alloyed to make the cell phone cases.

What’s in my

Reprinted with permission and adapted from the Mineral Information Institute. For more information, visit www.mii.org.

19MINING FOCUS

Bringing Earth’s Resources To Life

The ore from our Vernal operation may look like

the remnants of an ancient seabed to the

untrained eye. Those of us who work here see

nutrient-rich plant food that is an essential part

of feeding a planet with 7 billion people.

Every day we extract 10,000 tons of

life-sustaining rock in a way that’s in harmony

with the environment and our Utah community.

M I N I N G F O R F O O D

Phosphate Ore Mining – Vernal, Utah www.simplot.com

Vernal Mine 7.5 X 4.75 #2.ai 1 4/25/11 1:22 PM

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University of Utah Meldrum building, Utah Museum of Natural History and the I-15 Beck Street paving project are just a few examples of our work. By providing technical expertise along with cement products, aggregates and many more construction materials we’ve been a part of Utah’s foundation since 1904. www.holcim.us.com

Our Devils Slide plant.


L ast June, Governor Gary R. Herbert visited Arch Coal’s Sufco Mine in Sevier County to kick off his 10-year state energy plan. Sufco is the longest continuously operating underground coal mine west of the Mississippi, operating

for more than 70 years.

Sufco mine professionals took Gov. Herbert 8.5 miles into the side of the mountain. Arch Coal’s regional president Gene DiClaudio gave a presentation on the value of coal and the economic benefi ts derived in Utah.

Utah’s State Energy Advisor Amanda Smith and Samantha Julian, State Energy Development Director, also toured the operations.

Governor Gary Herbert Visits Sufco, Utah’s Longest Producing Coal Mine

21MINING FOCUS


MINING COAL:

A s an abundant natura l resource, coal has been i m p o r t a n t t o E a r t h ’s inhabitants for thousands of

years. Coal has many uses, but is mined primarily for the production of energy, either in the form of heat or electricity. It has a rich history in the United States, as coal was used heavily to heat homes and power factories. Coal played a major role as it powered the locomotives that spurred the expansion of the U.S. Industrial Revolution in the 1800s.

WHAT IS COAL?The most plentiful fossil fuel in the United States and a nonrenewable resource, coal is simply a sedimentary rock that burns, but has innumerable uses worldwide. It is composed mainly of carbonized vegetable matter and hydrocarbons.

Energy in coal comes from plants and trees that existed millions of years ago. Over time, layers of dead vegetation in swampy areas piled up

and were covered by layers upon layers of water and soil. This trapped the energy contained in the plants and trees — energy that originally came from the sun. The top layers created so much pressure and heat that, eventually, the bottom layers of trapped vegetation and energy were turned into coal.

DIFFERENT COALS AND THEIR USESToday, coal has a variety of uses in several different industries. The majority of coal is used for generating electricity, producing steel, manufacturing cement, and gasifi cation or liquefaction (coal-to-liquids) to create synthetic liquid fuels. Different types of coal have different uses. Some of these include:

• Steam coal, also known as thermal coal, is primarily used in generating power.

• Co k in g c oa l , a l so k nown as metallurgical coal, is primarily used for producing steel.

• Water and air purifi cation fi lters and kidney dialysis machines use activated carbon.

• A strong, lightweight coal called carbon fi ber is used in construction and in the manufacturing of high impact sports equipment such as mountain bikes and tennis rackets.

• Silicon metal, used in silicones and silanes, produces lubricants, resins, shampoos, cosmetics, toothpaste and many more.

Additionally, coal is used by aluminum refineries and paper manufacturers. Chemical and pharmaceutical companies use refi ned coal tar and coal by-products in manufacturing several different chemical products. Coal-produced chemicals include creosote oil, naphthalene, phenol, and benzene. Ammonia salts, nitric acid and agricultural fertilisers are produced with the use of ammonia gas recovered from coke ovens. Other products that use coal or coal by-products include dyes

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT?

23MINING FOCUS

solvents, soap, aspirins, and nylon, rayon, and other plastics and fi bers.

Not all coal is created equally. The energy found in coal can vary dramatically even within the same deposit. There are four ranking levels of coal, in terms of energy output. Dif ferences exist as a result of variations in pressure, heat and time.

• Lignite. This brownish-black coal has the lowest energy value and is considered “immature” and still soft. It has high moisture and ash content and can be used for generating electricity.

• Subbituminous Coal. This dull black coal has a somewhat higher energy value than lignite but is also used to generate electricity, as well as for space heating.

• Bituminous Coal. Utah’s coal is bituminous. This dark, hard coal has a higher energy value than subbituminous coal, and is the most common type in the United States, accounting for about 50% of the coal used. It is most commonly used for electric power generation. Additionally, bituminous coal is used to produce coke for making steel.

• Anthracite. This coal is very hard and shiny and has the highest energy value of the four types of coal because it is the most compact. It was created from bituminous coal experiencing increased pressures during the formation of mountain ranges. It is the least common, making up about 1.5% of the coal

used in the United States and is found primarily in Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Mountains. Anthracite is used both for generating electricity and space heating.

HOW IS ELECTRICITY GENERATED FROM COAL?

Electricity is generated at a power plant. From coal to consumption, it is created in 6 steps:

1. Coal is mined and is transported to the power plant.

2. Coal is burned in boiling water to produce steam.

3. The steam fl ows through pipes to power a turbine, which blades begin to spin.

4. The spinning blades are connected to a shaft that also turns and is connected to the generator.

5. Magnets in the generator spin close to coils of wire, which produces electrical currents.

6. The wires go out to deliver electricity to homes, businesses, schools and other buildings.

COAL AROUND THE WORLDFive countries account for 77% of total coal use worldwide. These are China, the United States, India, Russia, and Japan. Over 80% of Utah’s electricity and more than 50% of the United States’ electricity comes from coal, and we export 4% of the coal we mine to countries with fewer resources, most of which is used for making steel.

Fuel

Gas

Carbon dioxide

Soda water

Acetylene

Synthetic rubber

Charcoal briquettes

Artifi cial silk

Carbolic acid

Fire proofi ng

Food preservatives

Billiard balls

Medicines

Perfumes

Ammonia

Baking powder

Rubber cement fertiliser

Paint pigments

Sulfer

TNT explosive

Linoleum

Sugar substitute

Insectisides

Fungisides

Moth balls

Paint thinner

Batteries

Wood preservatives

Disinfectants

Varnish

Insulation

Over 80% of Utah’s electricity and more than 50% of

the United States’ electricity comes from coal, and we export 4% of the coal we mine to countries with fewer

resources, most of which is used for making steel.

Products Made from Coal


COAL The United States is the number

two supplier of all coal worldwide, producing 1.1 billion tons per year — China is number one.

Over 80% of Utah’s electricity and more tha 50% of the United States’ electricity comes from coal.

90% of U.S. coal mined each year generates electricity for domestic use.

Coal provided the energy to locomotives and factories that fueled the U.S. Industrial Revolution in the 1800s.

Coal costs less than petroleum and natural gas in the production of power fuel.

Coal is one of the most plentiful of Earth’s resources, with approximately 118 years of coal remaining worldwide.

THE FACTS ON

WHAT COAL DID TODAY

Enhanced energy security and lowered foreign oil dependency for the entire nation

Produced 2.4 million metric tons of steel

Powered 120 billion e-mails, 30 million tweets, and the activation of 140,000 Androids

Provided more than 50% of the electricity for 3

billion people worldwide

Provided power for about 60% of China’s

industrial sector

Produced more electricity than gas, wind and hydro combined — about 23 TWh

Produced, in terms of heat content, the equivalent of

57,000,000 barrels of oil

IN JUST 24 HOURS

y 5

y ed

25MINING FOCUS


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27MINING FOCUS

When Kennecott set out to reduce

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they assembled a team to develop a

plan to replace three coal-burning

boilers with a natural gas turbine.

This planned upgrade will double the

capacity and cut the plant’s overall

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Kennecott Utah Copper

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Mining Focus iss1.5.12 - Mining Rocks

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