EASTERN OREGON
MINING ASSOCIATION
AUGUST 2020
Volume 371
AUGUST EOMA MEETING CANCELLED
Yesterday, the Governor announced modified mandates to stem the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon. Starting Friday, July 24, facial coverings will be mandatory for ages 5 and up (including at schools) and exceptions have been removed (including at gyms while working out). Additionally, the indoor venue capacity limit has been lowered to 100 people.
Yes, the world is nuts, but City Hall does not allow meetings without masks and it all just becomes more difficult. Stay tuned. We will plan to have a September meeting, if not at City Hall, then maybe at the park.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE-FIRE SEASON IS HERE
Wouldn’t you know it, I sprained my ankle changing sprinklers, right when we were getting into good gold up at the claim. As long as I can hobble over to the backhoe, I am in business!
Fire season is upon us, and all operations need to be fire safe. That means all equipment must be equipped with approved spark arresters and all vehicles with mufflers. All equipment and vehicles must have fire extinguishers. No cross-country travel is allowed in areas with vegetation.
A backhoe or other equipment, pumps, ponds and other water sources must be available for fighting fire. Vegetation must have been removed from the mining area, and enough hose available to wet down adjacent areas if needed. Roads must be maintained, which allows access by fire fighters, and roads can be used as fire breaks.
Smoking is only allowed inside rigs or in non-vegetated areas (mine tailings, roads). Operators must maintain a fire watch after equipment is shut down for the day.
MSHA CLASSES - Jan Alexander
NW Safety Solutions instructor, Steve Kidwell, did a good job with our MSHA training. I am hoping to talk to someone at Eastern Oregon University about helping Steve get a grant, to help cover Steve’s costs in traveling to Eastern Oregon and giving the classes.
BLM NEWS
Steve Flock is the only geologist at the Baker Field Office now that Sarah has taken her new job in Spokane. The BLM will not be filling Sarah’s position for a while, which leaves Steve doing double duty.
We appreciate Steve’s efforts and hope when a new geologist is hired, that person will be as dedicated to facilitating mining as Steve is.
EAGLE CREEK MINE AND BRIDGE-Jan Alexander
Ken and I visited with the Griffins at their Castle Rock claims on Monday July 20, 2020. There were a lot of people camping near the existing Baker County bridge, and we saw several parties walking across the bridge to explore the Forest on the other side. We drove across the bridge, and proceeded upstream to the portal location. Besides some timbers used as shoring, which have been piled to burn in the fall, there were no reclamation needs. The mine access road is used by ATVs, but is well vegetated and is not an erosion source. The staging area and vehicle turn around is vegetated and stable. The rock face upslope of the portal has been brought down to prevent the public from entering the mine. A nice little “bat hole” was left, as required by the Forest Service, but in actuality, no bats use the mine.
Tom and Carol have submitted a new Plan of Operation to replace the old one that Jim Crotty submitted years ago. The ore is rich in rare earths and critical minerals, as well as in gold and silver. Hudson Creek does not have fish and there are no endangered species in the area (except for miners). Instead of trying to take the bond and obliterate the mine access road, the Forest Service should be working to approve this easy to analyze Plan of Operation.
As we reported in the last newsletter; AEMA commented on the “American Critical Mineral Exploration and Innovation Act:” stating, “Unfortunately, a lack of access to economically viable mineral deposits and a lengthy, inefficient federal permitting system has resulted in the U.S. being increasingly dependent on foreign sources of strategic and critical minerals”. The Castle Rock situation is exactly what AEMA is talking about.
The East Eagle Creek County road is a good, gravel road and there is patented land all along East Eagle Creek where there are cabins and recreation areas. The mine access road into the portal is stable, well vegetated and not an erosion source. The Forest Service should be working with the public and the County-and yes, even with the miners- to provide access for the public and access to the mine.
SUPPORT FOR THE AMERICAN CRITICAL MINERAL EXPLORATION AND INNOVATION ACT OF 2020- July 21, 2020 Press Release
The following organizations have written in support of this act. We can only hope the Forest Service can be made to understand the importance of minerals to our lives.
American Exploration and Mining Association
National Mining Association
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions
Uranium Producers of America
Arizona Mining Association
Utah Mining Association
Industrial Minerals Association- North America
WHAT IS AMERICAN EXPLORATION AND MINING ASSOCIATION?
EOMA and many members such as Ken and me, are also members of AEMA. This organization looks out for the mining industry, small scale miners included. According to AE&MA, “AE&MA is a 125-year old, 1,700-member national association representing the minerals industry with members residing in 44 U.S. states, seven Canadian provinces or territories, and 10 other countries. AEMA is the recognized national voice for exploration and represents the entire mining life cycle, from exploration to reclamation and closure”.
AEMA SUPPORTS CEQ’S FINAL NEPA MODERNIZATION RULE-AE&MA
“The American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA) applauds the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) for today's much-needed action to modernize and clarify its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations for the first time in over forty years. As one of the first environmental laws in this country, NEPA was landmark legislation, signaling the dawning of environmental awareness and the first step down the path of enacting what has become a comprehensive and effective federal and state statutory framework to protect the environment”.
"Simply put, NEPA is broken. While a NEPA analysis has become 'standard operating procedure' for our members, it also has become increasingly more cumbersome, time consuming and expensive," said AEMA Executive Director Mark Compton. "NEPA is no longer the planning and decision-making tool it was designed to be. Instead, it has become the tool used by obstructionist groups who oppose responsible and lawful mineral development on federal public lands. Reforming the NEPA process and creating a more efficient permitting system are critical to improving the competitiveness of the domestic mining industry, job creation, and decreasing our reliance on foreign sources of the minerals needed for our way of life and virtually every sector of our economy including infrastructure, healthcare, renewable energy, and all types of manufacturing. The final rule announced today is a positive step toward a more effective permitting system while maintaining important environmental safeguards and ensuring meaningful public involvement and participation in the NEPA process."
BACKGROUND- FINAL NEPA MODERNIZATION RULE-AE&MA:
The White House Council on Environmental Quality has issued a final rule to modernize its NEPA regulations, which were issued more than four decades ago. There have been more NEPA lawsuits than under any other environmental statute. Delays in reviews and decision-making can hold back the American economy, slowing the development of critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, highways, transmission lines, and energy and mineral projects, and deters future investment in projects that will enhance quality of life across the country.
CEQ's final rule codifies important aspects of the Trump Administration's One Federal Decision policy, including establishing a two year time limit and improving agency coordination through development by the lead agency of a joint schedule; preparation of a single EIS and joint record of decision; and procedures to elevate and resolve disputes that could lead to delays. Additionally, CEQ finalized provisions setting presumptive page limits, and for determining the appropriate level of NEPA review, ensuring timely submission of relevant information to inform decision-making, and facilitating the use of existing State, Tribal, and local studies, analyses, and environmental documents, among other things.
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT WORK MUST BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
The County gives you 30 days to record your assessment work, but remember, the work must have been completed between September 1, 2019 and August 30, 2020. The cost of recording varies at the counties, but the cost at BLM is $15/claim.
SMALL MINER WAIVER MUST BE SUBMITTED TO BLM BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
If you own 10 claims or fewer, you are eligible for the fee waiver. There is no fee involved when you file it with BLM, but the waiver must have original signatures of all the claim owners and must reach BLM by September 1, 2020. You should have received a packet in the mail from the BLM with forms that can be used to file.
The waiver tells BLM that you will do assessment work during the next year, and not pay fees.
PAYING BLM FEES
For miners who pay fees, the affidavit for filing fees is the same form miners use who do assessment work. The first box must be checked stating fees will be paid.
This affidavit must be filed at the County, then sent to BLM along with a check to cover the maintenance fees. The amount depends on the size of your claim, $165 for each 20 acres or portion thereof. The BLM payment portal is available if you use a credit card.
www.blm.gov/payportal/.
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 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.
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