EASTERN OREGON
MINING ASSOCIATION
AUGUST 2019
Volume 359
EASTERN OREGON MINING ASSOCIATION MEETING
Meetings are held on the first Friday of the month. The next meeting is Friday, AUGUST 2ND, at the Baker City Hall. The building is located at 1st and Auburn Streets in Baker City. The Board meeting starts at 6:00 PM. The general meeting starts at 6:30 PM. As usual there will be a drawing for a $50 silver medallion at the meeting!
ASHGROVE CEMENT SUPPORTS GOLD PANNING CONTESTS
Sincere thanks to Ashgrove for supporting the mining events at Jubilee. The gold for the kid’s panning tubs was paid for by Ashgrove, along with the prizes for the State Panning Championships.
Ashgrove is the biggest non-government employer in Baker County and is the biggest mining company in Baker, Grant or Malheur Counties. We in Baker County appreciate Ashgrove and the contributions they make to our economy.
MINERS’ JUBILEE JULY 19-21 2019-Ken Alexander
Jubilee was well attended by the public this year. There were so many vendors that the park filled up, and those vendors who couldn’t set up in the park, set up across the street in the parking lot. Larry Chase, Chuck Chase and Ken Anderson, along with Jan and me, were there for set-up and three full days of talking about mining. Bob Heitmanek left his vacation in Florence and joined us when he found out we were short-handed, Dave Graham, taking care of his dad, and Dan Brown, also manning the EOMP booth, helped when they could. The best part of the Jubilee for the kids was the panning. Gold, garnets, pyrite cubes and agates were panned non-stop. We had good help with take down, many thanks to all the vendors and members who came to assist! We are home today recuperating, and thinking about going mining. Hopefully the good weather will last!
OREGON STATE GOLD PANNING CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Kids contest: Kane Hellberg was first, winning $30, Colson Schroder was second, winning $20, and Wyatt Davis was third, winning $10.
Amateurs’ contest: Cassie Martin was first, winning $75, Xander Rexroad was second, Winning $50, and Alaina Sames was third, winning $25.
Professional’s contest: Auston Harman was first, winning $125, Joseph Martin was second, winning $100, and Kenneth Martin was third, winning $75.
Anita Nelson of Baker had the winning ticket for the gold nugget, which was donated by Miner’s Keepers, and Bob Sunderman, of LaGrande, had the winning ticket for the set of three EOMA silver medallions, along with gold nuggets donated by Chuck Chase.
TIME TO COMPLETE ASSESSMENT WORK AND FILE YOUR WAIVER AND PROOF OF LABOR.-Jan Alexander
Remember, all claim owners must sign the waiver. This year it is due in BLM’s office in Portland September 3, 2019, the day after Labor Day.
It is best to get your waiver and assessment work (proof of labor) into BLM by the middle of August. BLM employees are busy this time of year, and mistakes have happened. Always send your paperwork via certified mail. And remember, the fee now is $15/claim.
BLM INCREASES LOCATION AND ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEES-AEMA
As of July 1, 2019, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is issuing a final rule to make statutorily required adjustments to its location and maintenance fees for unpatented mining claims, mill sites, and tunnel sites.
Mining claimants must pay the new maintenance fee to maintain existing mining claims and sites beginning with the 2020 maintenance year. The maintenance fee is due “on or before September 1, 2019”. Because this is Labor Day weekend, all paperwork must be in BLM’s office by September 3, 2019.
Claimants who have already submitted maintenance fees for the 2020 assessment year, and those who timely pay the 2020 assessment year maintenance fee based on the fee in effect immediately before the adjustment was made, will be given an opportunity to pay the additional amount without penalty upon notice from the BLM.
NEW CLAIM LOCATION FEE-BLM
The new fee for locating a 20 acre claim is $165. On average the location fee increase will be approximately $45 per claimant.
At the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2018, there were approximately 27,800 claimants holding approximately 413,000 mining claims and sites. This works out to be an average of 15 claims or sites per claimant.
The total amount of fees collected, including the effects of the adjustment, is estimated to be $76 million annually, of which $5.51 million is attributable to the adjustments recently made.
STIPULATIONS FROM THE POWDER EIS-Jan Alexander
Ed Baldwin sent me a copy of the final Biological Assessment. All the dumb stipulations I listed in the last newsletter are still in the document that was sent to US Fish and Wildlife. Our chance to object (appeal) comes when the EIS is published.
Now that everything is completed, one would think the Forest Service would be ready to send out the EIS, resolve the appeals and get to approving Plans of Operation. But no-they have decided to sit on the document for another year!
The Forest Service is completely broken. They could care less about the National Minerals Policy Act which requires them to facilitate the orderly development of the mineral resources.
We can only hope that Congress acts to dissolve the Forest Service mineral authority and give authority for mineral exploration, development and production to BLM.
NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE SELECTS ACTING DIRECTOR FOR MINERALS AND GEOLOGY-AEMA
Beginning July 22, 2019, Kathryn Conant will assume the role of Acting Director for the Minerals & Geology Management Staff for the National Forest System.
Conant has served as the Regional Lands and Minerals Director, Intermountain Region, since 2012. In this capacity, Kathryn managed fifty employees located throughout the Region, and oversaw eleven lands and minerals related programs. Prior to serving as the Regional Lands and Minerals Director, Conant spent seventeen years in Washington, DC, with nine of those years serving in the US Forest Service, State and Private Forestry staff. She has served in other temporary assignments such as Acting Forest Supervisor on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
BLM LIFTS ALASKA LAND WITHDRAWALS-AEMA
More than 1.3 million acres of federal land in Alaska are a big step closer to being “open for business.”
On June 26, 2019, Assistant Interior Department Secretary Joe Balash signed directives in Anchorage revoking decades-old federal public land orders (PLOs), in the process making more than 1.3 million acres overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) eligible for conveyance to the state, Alaska Native corporations, and other uses.
The PLOs covered two areas: approximately 1.1 million acres of BLM land in eastern Interior Alaska, generally between Delta Junction, Tok and the Yukon River, as well as about 200,000 acres east of the Copper River delta and near the large Bering Glacier. Both areas are known for their mineral potential. The Interior Fortymile region is an area popular among Alaska placer miners and revoking the orders will open the areas to new federal mining claims. The actions should take effect within 30 days, according to BLM Alaska officials.
VICTORY! COURT RULES AGAINST MORE FIANACIAL ASSURANCES-AEMA
On July 19, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision not to impose new duplicative financial assurance requirements on hardrock mines under section 108(b) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
The case at issue was Idaho Conservation League v. Wheeler, No. 18-1141 (D.C. Circuit) challenging the EPA’s December 2017 determination not to impose additional, unnecessary financial assurance obligations under CERCLA, also known as Superfund Law. The D.C. Circuit Court heard oral arguments on March 13, 2019, and consisted of Judges Thomas B. Griffith, Karen LeCraft Henderson, and David B. Sentelle, appointed respectively by Presidents George W. Bush, George H. W. Bush, and Ronald Reagan.
AEMA’s Executive Director Mark Compton issued the following statement in response: “AEMA and its members welcome the court’s decision to reject environmental groups’ challenge of EPA’s final action not to enforce duplicative financial assurance requirements. Today’s decision represents a significant victory for the hardrock mining industry and confirms that the comprehensive spectrum of federal and state regulatory programs already in place fully address financial assurance requirements and substantially reduce the environmental risks associated with mining.”
BLM HEADQUARTERS RELOCATING TO THE WEST-AEMA
On July 16, 2019, in a letter to U.S. Senators, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) formally announced its plan to move 222 positions from the current headquarters in Washington, D.C. to locations throughout the West, and establish the BLM Headquarters in Grand Junction, CO.
Under the BLM’s implementation plan, the BLM Director, Deputy Director of Operations, Assistant Directors, and a few selected members of their staffs, totaling twenty-seven positions, will move to the new Grand Junction Headquarters. Only the Deputy Director of Policy and Programs, along with sixty other staff members performing functions in the Agency’s Legislative Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Public Affairs, and Freedom of Information Act divisions will remain in D.C.
The remaining positions currently located in Washington, D.C. will be located to State Offices across the West: four to Alaska, thirty-four to Arizona, twelve to California, eighty-five to Colorado, fourteen to Idaho, three to Montana/Dakotas, thirty-two to Nevada, thirty-two to New Mexico, two to Oregon/Washington, thirty-seven to Utah, five to Wyoming, and two to eastern states. Additionally, seventy-four positions will be allocated to State Offices to perform State Office functions.
BLM reasons the reorganization effort to western states will align the Agency’s personnel footprint and resources with its physical footprint and resources, which are almost entirely based in the West. Detailed in the letter sent to U.S. Senators, BLM found that ninety-three percent of full-time employee’s functions are located in the Western United States. The Agency found that with such large numbers of senior leadership located in D.C., policy direction often comes from individuals who have very little interaction with constituents, and the land itself, that are most impacted by BLM policies.
COST OF BLM REORGANIZATION
The reorganization is expected to cost the Agency $5.6 million in funding yet save the Agency over $50 million with positive returns coming from lower office leases and locality pay costs as well as decreased travel expenses. The implementation of relocations and realignments is planned to take place over the next fifteen months until the BLM’s D.C. office location expires at the end of the 2020 calendar year.
2018 EOMA SILVER MEDALLIONS FOR SALE
EOMA will not be minting 2019 medallions. 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 yours 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 541-523-3285. Also, you can buy them at our EOMA meetings.
EOMA ADVERTISING AND SALE LISTINGS
FOR SALE: BURNT BRIDGE CLAIM
This 20 Acre claim is located on the North Fork of the Burnt River in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Burnt River Road runs parallel to the river from one end of the claim to the other offering excellent access to the river and campsite. Claim contains over ¼ mile of river open to dredging. Copies of approved 2017 DEQ permit 600 PM and 2017 DEQ 700 PM (4” suction dredge) available. This claim is for sale for $2500. Contact Joe Toce email: toceja@hotmail.com
PORTABLE HARDROCK MILL FOR SALE
20TPD Free gold-Sulfide, semi-portable mill in NE Oregon. 9”x36” jaw, secondary crusher, 7’x36” ballmill, 9 flotcells, gravity circuit, jig-table, +pumps, filters, tanks, bins, building, assay-smelter lab. Everything included for full milling operation. For more information, call Kay Lyons at 503-349-6053 or Thom Seal at 510-418-5779 tseal@unr.edu
FOR SALE
Ed Hardt is selling his placer mining equipment. Ed's trommel is 20 feet long, 5 feet in diameter, gear driven, positive drive. It will process up to 100 yards a day, will not slip or spin out. Also, one three-inch pump, a two-inch pump, two and three inch flat hose, and a generator. Call 541-377-9209 or email Ed at twohardts@hotmail.com. Price for all is $15,000.
GOLD CLAIMS FOR SALE (3)
5 unpatented placer claims (160 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)
DEQ 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
FOR SALE TWO 80 ACRE ASSOCIATION PLACER CLAIMS (5)
Because of health reasons, we are selling our two 80 acre Association Placer Claims. These two claims are the last two claims on the top end of Elk Creek, a short distance from Baker City. A road goes through most of it. Sell for $7,000 each, will take gold, silver or will sell for a lesser price for cash. Call Ken at 541-519-9497 or Chuck at 541-310-8510.\
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 for 2019 work. Call Charles Stewart at 541-910-5435 for more information.
$1,500 · ELECTRIC T-60 TILT VCELLA KILN
The Vcella T-60 is the older version of the TL60. Completely rebuilt, new brick, new coils, new graphite crucible. The newer version of it is the TL-60 advertised in the ICMJ. It will smelt up to several hundred pounds of brass, copper, silver and Gold. Call (541-310-8510)
BLUE SKY PLACER MINE $7,500
Three mining claims, two on Bull Run Creek, and one on Swamp Creek, a tributary of Bull Run Creek. The mine has a Plan of Operation and is set up for a trommel and backhoe operation. Can assume the plan and the $1,400 Bond. Six off channel ponds. Number six pond is the fresh water pond and number five you can discharge into. Can pan gold out of the tailings. Quite a bit of testing done and assay work; has all of the 17 Rare Earth Minerals. Call (541-310-8510)
SUE PLACER FOR SALE-$12,000
The Sue is located on the North Fork Burnt River, which is open for suction dredging, and is accessed by a good county road. The North Fork has a long dredging season-July 1-October 31 each year. I am selling the 20-acre Sue claim, along with two dredges (a 4” and a 6”), two trailers for them and accessories, two wet suits with weight belts, one repair kit and a few other items. There is also an approved Plan of Operation with the Forest Service for using a trommel and mechanized equipment beside the river. The equipment alone is worth over what you will be paying for the total package, it's like getting the claim for free. For information call Stan Baker 541-938-8353 HM
509-386-7465 CELL swbrockett@msn.com.
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