Holiday Wishes From MASC President Roy Duckett

2009 Mining Workshop

Let's Stamp Out MSHA Violations In South Carolina!

2008 MASC Holiday Dinner a Success!
The 2008 Holiday Dinner was held Friday, December 5, 2008 at the Hilton Columbia Center in Downtown Columbia, S.C. and by all accounts it was a success. The evening began with a board meeting where the 2009 slate of MASC Officers were nominated. The reception began shortly after the conclusion of the Board meeting and a wonderful Ruth's Chris Steak Dinner followed. After dinner, attendees danced to the music of "Good & Proper". Congratulations to the following 2009 MASC Officers:

President, Roy Duckett, Kennecott Ridgeway Mining
President - Elect, Matt Joliff, Lehigh Hanson
Vice - President, David Risner, Martin Marietta
Secretary, John Bratton, Wake Stone Corp.
Treasurer, Jim Holmes, U.S. Silica

MASC would like to thank the following Holiday Dinner Sponsors:

Godwin Pumps of America
Hobgood Electric & Machinery Co., Inc.
Lehigh Hanson
Martin Marietta Aggregates
McNair Law Firm
Paschal Associate Sales, Inc.
SynTerra
Vibra-Tech, Inc.

Sustaining Member Sponsors:

Austin Powder Co.
Blanchard Machinery Co.
H & E Equipment Services (Mid Atlantic)
Linder Industrial Machinery Co.
Miller Brothers Giant Tire Service, Inc.
PetroLiance, LLC
Volvo Construction Company

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Holiday Wishes From MASC President Roy Duckett
Dear MASC Members:

This past week Rio Tinto Plc, the parent company of Kennecott Ridgeway Mining, announced it would eliminate 14,000 jobs across its global operations. The company also announced it would suspend some development projects and reduce capital expenditures at all businesses. Other metal produces are making similar announcements. The business has seen a global downturn in demand for commodities and a drop in commodity prices that is unprecedented in both severity and in the speed at which it has taken place.

Some form of this story is taking place at many of our MASC member and associate member companies. We are seeing it play out in many other business sectors throughout our country. Many of us have family, friends, or business associates who have lost or will lose their jobs. All of us will feel the effects of this global “recession”. To what extent, for how long, and to what end are questions surrounding this economic crisis that are pitting fear, anger, and distrust against our resolve, our determination and our faith. This economic crisis is generating discussion about liberty and our freedom and is being described by some as “the fight of our lives”. In times such as these I am reminded that “the most powerful weapon ever devised is the spoken word”.

In our list of the values of being a MASC member we state that our association “is considered to be an extremely professional, ethical and active association and, as such, is considered to be the voice of the mining industry in South Carolina”. The value of that voice being heard in communities, regulatory agencies, and state government is immeasurable and can never be overstated. Each and every member of the association is that voice. If I have a forecast pertaining to our industry and every other aspect of our lives in the years ahead it is that this will be a time in which we have to make our voices heard.

As an association we may look quite a bit different at the end of 2009 than we do now. The economy is going to impact our membership and may impact our ability to conduct some of the activities we normally have each year. However, the association we will remain an organized and active voice. It will remain capable of reaching out to the community and being heard in political circles and it will remain a tremendous value to the membership and the industry. Here are just three examples of the need for an active MASC voice that come to mind immediately:

1. First, in 2009 we can expect new mining and environmental regulatory challenges as SCDHEC experiences both across the board and targeted budget cuts. Everything will be on the table at SCDHEC as they look for ways to sustain operations at required levels.
2. Second, in 2009, state and national politics will be at the center of funding for infrastructure improvements. The debate will be intense and the mining industry will feel the impact of that funding or lack thereof.
3. Third, after years of drought, water is finally recognized as a critical commodity. In 2009 waters of the state will be a very active subject in the upcoming legislative session.

The MASC must remain involved in these activities and others like them. We must make our voices heard to prevent developments that are not in the best interest of our industry from becoming regulatory reality and adding additional economic hardship to our operations. Please, make 2009 the year you make your voice and your message a priority.

In this holiday season I want to thank you for making this past year in the MASC one of the most successful it has ever had in terms of involvement in programs and activities. The involvement seen in our 2008 spring and fall programs, in our committees, and in our board members is absolutely first rate.

I wish you all well and hope that you find celebration in the midst of all the unsettling news of the day. Maybe it is good that all this is happening at this time of the year. Remembering the true meaning of Christmas puts everything else in proper perspective.

Good health, happiness, and a Merry Christmas to all of you. Take good care of yourselves and your families. Let’s have a Happy New Year.

Roy Duckett
MASC President