Kennecott Ridgeway Mine Wins National Environmental Award

Aiken Tech, Workforce & Business Development Update

2005 MASC Annual Meeting

Kennecott Ridgeway Mine Wins National Environmental Award
The Bureau of Land Management Director, Kathleen Clarke, notified the Kennecott Ridgeway Mine, located in Fairfield County, South Carolina, that it was chosen to receive the BLM 2005 Hardrock Mineral Environmental Award. The awards ceremony took place on September 20, 2005 in Washington, D.C. hosted by the National Mining Association.

In congratulating Kennecott, Director Clarke stated, “We salute the efforts of employees and management of the Kennecott Ridgeway Mine for your outstanding accomplishments in environmental stewardship.”

The Ridgeway Mine is wholly owned by Kennecott Minerals Company, located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kennecott Minerals Company is, in turn, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc, a London-based company and a world leader in responsible mining.

The Bureau of Land Management created the Reclamation and Sustainable Development Awards Program to showcase some of the finest examples of responsible mineral resource development. Winners of the award demonstrate an understanding of Sustainable Development – that is mineral development meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. These are key components of Kennecott Minerals Company’s Sustainable Development Policy and Rio Tinto’s statement of business practice The Way We Work.

In accepting the award for Kennecott Minerals Company, Adrian Jackman, President and CEO, stated, “I am pleased to receive this award recognizing the environmental achievements at Ridgeway that have focused on the three components of sustainable development: environmental health, social responsibility, and economic security. Ridgeway has demonstrated to the nation that it is a leader in developing, establishing and implementing good environmental practices.”

Ridgeway was chosen to receive the award from a number of nominations by a panel of judges which included experts from inside and outside the BLM.

Kennecott Ridgeway Press Release, September, 2005.

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Aiken Tech, Workforce & Business Development Update
Aiken Technical College, Workforce & Business Development, manages the S.C. MSHA Grant Program and provides safety and health training to the state’s mining industry and also the contractors working within the industry. Aiken Tech has scheduled weekly training, on-campus, and can provide training at the job site if needed (fees apply). Each company must have a 30 CFR Part 46 or 48 Training Plan prior to receiving training. MSHA Training Plan and/or HazCom (Part 47) Plan preparation are offered for a $150 fee. Please call the MSHA Coordinator at 803 593-9954 x1582 or fax 803 594-1869.

MSHA NEW MINER-PART 1 - 8 HOURS
MSHA NEW MINER-PART 2 - 8 HOURS
MSHA NEW MINER-PART 3 - 8 HOURS
MSHA ANNUAL REFRESHER - 8 HOURS
MSHA TRAIN-THE-TRAINER - 32 HOURS
MSHA TTT REFRESHER - 8 HOURS
FIRST AID/CPR/AED - 8 HOURS
FORKLIFT SAFETY - 8 HOURS
HAZCOM PART 47 - 2 HOURS
INCIPIENT FIREFIGHTING - 2 HOURS

Aiken Tech, September, 2005.

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The States Weigh In
Lack of funding, product shortage and pricing concerns, as well as the delay in passing a new federal highway bill, are all hurdles for the aggregates industry. Still, the states forge on, and many are enjoying successes, despite the infrastructure problems.

In South Carolina, business remains strong, despite a lack of funding, which has stopped highway maintenance of the state system, according to Kelly Smith, executive director of the Mining Association of South Carolina Inc. (MASC). Smith reports some tightness in the market because of DOT road design and shortages in cement plants that have placed customers on allocation, but, otherwise, it’s business as usual.

“Demand for aggregates in South Carolina is good for roads and construction, and prices have remained firm,” Smith says. “The state legislature is supportive but the no-tax elements have prevented increased funding to date.”

To combat infrastructure problems, the MASC develops and coordinates responses to legislation and develops legislative initiatives on issues impacting the mining industry. They also encourage politicians to serve the people and their needs to develop an improved quality of life and environment.

This helps, but, according to Smith, the lack of passage of highway bills has complicated the infrastructure issues and caused delays and a slow down in response to population growth and needs.