EASTERN OREGON
MINING ASSOCIATION
DECEMBER 2020
Volume 375
EOMA RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP PAYMENTS ARE DUE THE 1st OF JANUARY 2021
DECEMBER 4, 2020 MEETING AT ELK CREEK ENTERPRISES
Many thanks to Alice Knapp for letting us meet at the saw shop while City Hall is not available for meetings. We will have a meeting on December 4, 2020 at the Elk Creek Enterprises saw shop located at 890 Elm Street. There is a big TIMBERUNITY sign in the window-you can’t miss it!
The Board Meeting will begin at 6:00PM with the regular meeting following at 6:30PM. Don’t forget, we will give away a $50 dollar silver medallion at the end of the meeting. Come buy a ticket, support EOMA and who knows, you may get lucky!
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Looking to the future, it is important to remember that logging, grazing, and mining, as well as other multiple uses, were specifically recognized when the National Forests were reserved. “The timber, water, pasture, mineral, and other resources of the forest reserves are for the use of the people; They may be obtained under reasonable conditions, without delay; Legitimate improvements and business enterprises will be encouraged. Forest reserves are open to all persons for all lawful purposes.” Also, “The administration of forest reserves is not for the benefit of the Government, but of the people.” (1905 Use Book referencing the 1897 Organic Act)
EOMA remains dedicated to our objectives outlined in our bylaws including, “To promote the concept of multiple uses of all public domain lands”.
AMERICAN EXPLORATION&MINING ASSOCIATION CONVENTION-Jan Alexander
The convention starts on Monday, and it will be interesting to see how successful it will be, since it is all virtual. I included a copy of the agenda, for those who are interested. I signed up, so will be able to listen to any of the sessions I find interesting.
On Monday, I will “attend” the session on Public Lands. On Tuesday I will be gone, but can attend the New MSHA at whatever time I want. On Wednesday, I will try NEPA at 50+-What Will Be the New Normal. On Thursday, I’ll try Mine Closure and Reclamation and on Friday I want to hear Mark Compton of AE&MA closing remarks.
I will see if I can get copies of the talks for EOMA members who want them.
NOMINATIONS NEEDED FOR EOMA OFFICERS
A nominating committee will be picked at the December meeting. This committee will work together to find members willing to step up to the plate and take on an EOMA office. Norma Myers has been a great secretary, but she is stepping down, so this position will be open. Bobbie Danser will also be stepping down as treasurer, and so this position will also be open.
EOMA cannot function without our officers and Board of Directors. Help if you can.
FOREST SERVICE PUBLISHES NEPA UPDATE-AE&MA
On November 19, the U.S. Forest Service published a final rule updating its NEPA regulations. The final rule was initially planned for some time earlier this year, perhaps late spring or early summer, but was delayed so Forest Service could review the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ’s) substantial NEPA overhaul. The final rule is scaled down significantly from the original proposal, but does contain some provisions that should be beneficial going forward. There are several new categorical exclusions (CEs) for roadbuilding and maintenance, and the rule allows the agency to make a “Determination of NEPA Adequacy” in certain cases. This “DNA” allows the Forest Service to decide that an existing Environmental Analysis (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) can be used for a new project if the conditions or impacts are “substantially similar.” This could potentially reduce the need for redundant analyses, freeing up personnel and resources for other projects.
It is important to note that this is not the Section 228A update, which we still expect to be proposed in the next couple of months. Earlier this month, the U.S. Forest Service moved one step closer to updating its locatable minerals regulations (also known as “228(A) regs”). We have pushed the Forest Service for many years to adopt regulations that more closely resemble the Bureau of Land Management’s 3809 regulations, particularly BLM’s five-acre bonded notice provision for exploration activity on lands open to mineral entry.
BARRASSO TO SEEK GAVEL-AE&MA
Wyoming Senator John Barrasso (R) recently announced that he will seek the chairmanship of the powerful Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) in the upcoming 117th Congress. The chair is currently occupied by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who is term-limited by Republican Conference rules. Barrasso would take over the chair, assuming Republicans maintain control of the Senate after the January runoff in Georgia. If Democrats take control of the Senate, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) would become the chairman, and Barrasso would be the ranking member. The ENR Committee is an important panel for energy and public lands policy in the Senate.
NEWMONT-Neils Christensen, Kitco News
Who says 13 is an unlikely number? For the 13th consecutive year, the world’s largest mining company has made it into the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World).
Newmont Corp said that the index represents the top 10% of the globe’s largest 2,500 companies in the S&P Global Broad Market Index. DJSI World membership is based on long-term economic factors, as well as leading environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, the company added. Not only is Newmont in the top 10%, but it is the top-ranked miner for the sixth consecutive year.
“Newmont’s commitment to ESG is fundamental, it is part of the company’s fabric and history, and is essential to our license to operate,” said Tom Palmer, president and CEO of Newmont in a statement. “I am extremely proud of our employees for their strong commitment to our purpose of creating value and improving lives through sustainable and responsible mining. We are honored to continue our DJSI World membership and to have earned top gold miner distinction in the CSA. This honor comes with the recognition that we must continue to challenge ourselves to further improve and deliver on our commitments for all of our stakeholders.”
COPPER-Jan Alexander
Did you know, the average American household contains 439 pounds of copper? Oregon actually has some good copper deposits. It may be time to develop some of these, even those here in Baker County.
The price for Copper pushed above US$7,000 per ton this week, the highest since 2013, as Chinese demand continues to drive prices up. According to an article in Mining.com, China alone accounts for more than half of the world’s copper imports. So far this year, it has already imported more copper than it did throughout all of 2019, according Bloomberg data.
In the U.S, Twin Metals Minnesota, LLC, is pursuing the development and operation of an underground strategic metals (copper) mining project in NE Minnesota. We will have to see how that goes, since the only states with locatable minerals are in the west and in Alaska.
TALK TO YOUR REFINERY-Jan Alexander
So, you have some buckets of black sand and gold to sell. How much time and energy should you put into cleaning that material?
An old geologist I used to work with, Jim Haight, gave me some good advice. He told me that Rule #1 is work with your refinery. Call them up and find out what they need from you.
1. If they do not dock you for impurities, just continue to ship based on 30% or 50% recovery, or whatever. Don’t spend your time cleaning gold, if they don’t really care that it is clean.
2. If they dock you, then find out how much impurity is acceptable without charging you extra.
3. If they tell you their cleaning process loses gold, then you may want to take the extra time to clean your gold further, unless the percentage lost by the refinery is low. The fact is, every time you clean your gold yourself, you will lose some, so spending more of your time to remove impurities may not be cost effective.
4. You may want to split a sample, send half to the refinery without cleaning it completely, and then take the time to clean the other half. Compare the amount of gold to see how much the refinery is losing in their cleaning process.
5. If you want to clean the gold further, find out the size class where you get most of the gold.
6. If you really want a detailed analysis, do a sieve analysis and find out how much gold each size class of material holds.
7. When you find out the size classes where you get most of the gold, clean up these size classes in separate batches. The most common mistake people make is trying to separate the gold out of material composed of several size classes.
8. After you determine where you find most of the gold, save the next two higher size classes and crush this material to see if there is appreciable gold there. If so, incorporate a crushing unit into your processing equipment, crushing only the larger size classes, or save this material for later crushing.
EOMA ADVERTISING AND SALE LISTINGS
EOMA SILVER MEDALLIONS FOR SALE
As most of you know, EOMA did not mint 2019 medallions, nor will we mint 2020 medallions. However, we still have 2018 medallions available, as well as some medallions from previous years. They are currently selling for $50.00 apiece plus $5.00 shipping, handling, and insurance. (Prices are subject to change).
You can order your medallion from the EOMA website and pay by pay-pal. Or, you can send $50 plus $5.00 shipping and handling to EOMA, Medallions, PO Box 932, Baker City, OR 97814, or call 541-310-8510. Also, you can buy them at our EOMA meetings.
FOR SALE EARTH MAGNETOMETER
This magnetometer measures the amount of magnetics in the ground, such as magnetite. Since magnetite is associated with gold, the magnetometer can help greatly with prospecting, since it will show you the amount of magnetite that may well be associated with gold in the ground. The more magnetite, the more gold. $400 or cash $350. Call Chuck Chase, 541-310-8510.
GOLDEN ANGEL PLACER CLAIMS FOR SALE
Located on Pine Creek, adjacent to the High Bar (Gold Rush) claims, the four 20-acre Golden Angels have an approved Plan of Operation in place. Good County road access, water for processing, WPCF permit goes with the sale. For information, call John at 541-620-1177.
GOLD CLAIMS FOR SALE (3)
6 unpatented placer claims (180 acres) located on Elk Creek near Baker City.
Sale includes all equipment (2 excavators, dump truck, trommel, pumps, generators, etc).
Site was featured on the cover of ICMJ’s Prospecting and Mining Journal (August 2014).
Approved Plan of Operation with US Forest Service in place and can be transferred (expires 2021, but additional time can be applied for). DEQ WPCF process permit goes with the sale of the claims. For price, pictures and details, call Don Enright, 509-860-1145 or email: donaldenright25@gmail.com
NATIVE SPIRIT 60 ACRE CLAIM FOR SALE
This claim is located on McCully Creek on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest just west of the town of Sumpter. Good access, off-channel water is available for processing. DEQ process permit goes with the sale of the claim. Plan of Operation is scheduled to be approved in the fall of 2020. Call Charles Stewart at 541-910-5435 for more information. I will look at any reasonable offers.
WANTED-GOLD
Gold Specimens and Gold nuggets, mostly from Oregon mines. Fair prices paid. Also selling Gold nugget jewelry, specimens, nuggets and more. For an interesting and informative experience explore www.northernnevadagold.com. Call Robert 775-455-6470.
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ACTION MINING SERVICES, INC.
AMS is selling out all assay supplies, screens, chemicals and labware! Call for quote and mention this ad for 35% off! Assay supplies, concentrators, impact mills, technical books (for the beginner to the advanced mill man), & more!
Call for our free catalog or visit us online! Check out their website for information on wave tables. PO Box 1913, Sandy OR 97055 Phone: 503 826-9330 • 800 624-1511 sales@actionmining.com • www.actionmining.com
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