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curt
Nov 4, 2004, 7:46 PM
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Prop 100 is unrelated to this land exchange, which will involve the Federal government.
Curt
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curt
Nov 4, 2004, 7:48 PM
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In reply to: The more I have found out about the deposit, the less I believe it would be economically feasible to mine via a stope and fill method. I am starting work at another block cave soon, and understand a bit more of the relative economics. The long-hole stope and fill copper mines I know of average 5-8% copper. Resolution is, from my understanding, 1-2%. That works out to 2. to 4. billion dollars of top line revenue per billion tons of ore ($1.00 copper). That sounds like a lot, but consider capital costs. A 7000 foot shaft would cost in the neighborhood of $200-300 million dollars to drive. A deposit of this size would need three or four. Add equipment and plant and startup, and intial capital costs alone are well over a billion dollars. And we haven't gotten to pre-production development. Or operating costs. Or taxes. Or depletion. Environmental management. Or the myriad of other expenses associated with operating a mine. This is a world-class deposit - it would be fun to work there.
Guess what? It is even more fun to climb there.
Curt
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markguycan
Nov 5, 2004, 4:18 AM
Post #203 of 619
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Deif- put me on the list: mark geikenjoyner- flagstaff,az
I have an 8lb monkey wrench you might find useful!
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ahwatukian
Nov 5, 2004, 5:20 AM
Post #204 of 619
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Hey, just checking in regarding this issue.
DON'T count me out as a watchdog for this topic... I have no news to report regarding this project, but since the price of copper is where it is, well... the consensus is "we'll see, huh"?
On a similar note, anyone heard of any cycling events (MTB or road) in or around the Superior area that are being considered? I know that the 100-miler MTB sponsored by Nimbus Brewing in Tucson traverses some BHP land down near San Man, but has anyone thought of possibly a MTB or road cycle race through/near Superior?
Also, curt or allrounder, any chance I could find out when you're planning to meet with Resolution next?
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curt
Nov 5, 2004, 5:27 AM
Post #205 of 619
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The Friends of Queen Creek do not currently have any meetings scheduled with Resolution Copper Company, although we have had several meetings in the past. I would characterize our working relationship with Resolution as friendly, even if we are not completely on the same page.
I believe Resolution does currently have a meeting scheduled with The Access Fund staff in Boulder.
Curt
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mheyman
Nov 5, 2004, 5:41 PM
Post #206 of 619
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Curt,
As much as I give you credit for working to prevent loss of QCC to climbers, Kalcario had it right last Jan. It would take a miracle with this administration for any climber-desired results to come of you efforts. Without other major issues, the only chance climbers have to stop a mining co on public land is to buy them off. That means giving them a good percentage of the profit they believe they will realize from the proposed mine for not working it! With business pacified, you might be able to get local governments to help protect the area.
Climbers’ best hope is that something will turn up that makes the mine economically unfeasible.
Good luck – seriously.
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mheyman
Nov 5, 2004, 5:42 PM
Post #207 of 619
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Curt,
As much as I give you credit for working to prevent loss of QCC to climbers, Kalcario had it right last Jan. It would take a miracle with this administration for any climber-desired results to come of you efforts. Without other major issues, the only chance climbers have to stop a mining co on public land is to buy them off. That means giving them a good percentage of the profit they believe they will realize from the proposed mine for not working it! With business pacified, you might be able to get local governments to help protect the area from future proposals.
Climbers’ best hope is that something will turn up that makes the mine economically unfeasible.
Good luck – seriously.
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sidepull
Nov 5, 2004, 6:07 PM
Post #208 of 619
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how much money was raised for this "issue" at the flapper fest on Halloween?
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curt
Nov 5, 2004, 6:25 PM
Post #209 of 619
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It is important to remember that we do not have to stop Resolution Copper from mining at Oak Flat for climbers to claim a victory here. All we are asking is that any mining that is done there be done in a responsible way so that the mining will not negatively impact the climbing resource on the surface of the land, above the mine.
This is completely consistent with the stated desire of Resolution/Rio Tinto to engage in sustainable development and to build a mine for the 21st Century.
Curt
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kiribell
Nov 7, 2004, 4:31 PM
Post #210 of 619
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Stupid question---
If the area does close, will this access closure effect Atlantis and upper/lower Devils Canyon at all?
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monaann
Nov 9, 2004, 4:12 AM
Post #211 of 619
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Who all is work together to keep Oak Flats open? I spoke to my mother today about it and she was surprised to hear that I too was fighting with other rock climbers to keep it open. She is a bird nutt and this has been a big thing with Autibon and the sierra club. I am just wondering if everyone is working together to create a stronger front?
Phlapper Fest was cold but well worth it. Great job Javier!!!
Lisa
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curt
Nov 9, 2004, 4:34 AM
Post #212 of 619
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In reply to: Who all is work together to keep Oak Flats open? I spoke to my mother today about it and she was surprised to hear that I too was fighting with other rock climbers to keep it open. She is a bird nutt and this has been a big thing with Autibon and the sierra club. I am just wondering if everyone is working together to create a stronger front? Phlapper Fest was cold but well worth it. Great job Javier!!! Lisa
Check out this website:
http://www.friendsofqueencreek.com
We are supported by the Sierra Club, the Access Fund, The Audubon Society, the Arizona Mountaineering Club and several other groups in our effort to preserve permanent access to Oak Flat for climbing and other recreational uses.
Curt
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capttrad
Nov 11, 2004, 12:41 AM
Post #213 of 619
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Long live Queens
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ahwatukian
Nov 11, 2004, 4:04 PM
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Sounds like Janet has dollar signs in her eyes. I would suggest the Friends of Queen Creek make their case known to the Governor's office, as well as friendly members in the legislature (are there any?) ASAP. That way, there is someone talking into their other ear about the effects that block caving could have above ground.
Curt, have you or anyone else been in contact with the Governor's office?
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smeargle
Nov 11, 2004, 4:12 PM
Post #216 of 619
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In reply to: I would suggest the Friends of Queen Creek make their case known to the Governor's office, as well as friendly members in the legislature (are there any?) ASAP
There has been alot of effort to be in contact with the governor and legislators about this issue. On the http://www.friendsofqueencreek.com/FoQC_take%20action.htm website there are links of letters to send and the address of all the legislators to send the letters to. Please go and send them. I have actually gotten a response from Jon Kyl saying that he has seen no legislation yet on this subject.
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curt
Nov 11, 2004, 4:52 PM
Post #217 of 619
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The three Arizona Republic articles that I am aware of, concerning this proposed new mine at Oak Flat have really been nothing more than public relations jobs for Resolution Copper company. Unfortunately, there has been no attempt, to date, by the paper to try and provide any objective coverage of the issue.
I particularly found this comment by Governor Napolitano to be interesting:
"Despite the challenges, Napolitano said the mining endeavor could be a gold mine for Arizona.
"This has been identified as one of the major new mining ventures in the world," Napolitano told The Arizona Republic. "This will be much more consistent with environmental protection goals and restoration. They will restore the lands to their pre-mine appearance. That is very, very exciting."
Although we have met multiple times with with the Natural Resources Director in the Governor's office, and explained that it will be impossible to restore the surface of Oak Flat to its "pre-mine appearance" if subsidence occurs there, uninformed statements like the one above continue to appear in print.
Multiple letters to the editor have been sent to the Arizona Republic, explaining the potential downside issues related to this mine, but none of these has yet managed to be published. Perhaps if enough people write such letters, eventually one of them will see the light of day.
Curt
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smeargle
Nov 12, 2004, 3:08 PM
Post #218 of 619
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Yea the article definitely made it sound like everything is just wonderful... The state will make millions and the land will appear untouched. It is unfortunate that this is the slant that the Republic is taking on this, and apparently Napolitano.
I'll write another letter to the editor about this. Thanks for the info.
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slip
Nov 12, 2004, 4:44 PM
Post #219 of 619
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I wrote my letter to the editor. :evil:
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curt
Nov 12, 2004, 8:06 PM
Post #220 of 619
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For anyone who is interested, there will be a public meeting of The Friends of Queen Creek, on Thursday, December 2nd at 7pm. The location will be the AZ on The Rock climbing gym, in Scottsdale, AZ.
Curt
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sportyj
Nov 12, 2004, 10:54 PM
Post #221 of 619
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Just trying to get a better grip on this subject. After reading the "PR" articles is it safe to assume that they COULD mine the area and leave the surface "virtually" untouched? WHY would they need to close it if it is not going to have an effect on the surface? Is it an instability type of thing?
I am new to this, but have written my letters!!!
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curt
Nov 13, 2004, 2:16 AM
Post #222 of 619
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In reply to: Just trying to get a better grip on this subject. After reading the "PR" articles is it safe to assume that they COULD mine the area and leave the surface "virtually" untouched? WHY would they need to close it if it is not going to have an effect on the surface? Is it an instability type of thing?
Not surprisingly, Resolution Copper is proposing to extract this ore by the least expensive means available to them--block caving. Unfortunately, block caving has always led to the subsidence (caving into a crater) of the ground above such a mine.
We are told that there are indeed other ways to mine this copper ore, but these more socially responsible mining techniques could be somewhat more costly for Resolution to use, and may therefore impact their profitability to some degree.
Clearly, Resolution has no need to mine responsibly if nobody forces them to do so. That is why it is vital to let our government officials know that there are many folks (who vote) who oppose giving carte blanch to Resolution to do as they see fit with this land.
Curt
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smeargle
Nov 13, 2004, 2:31 AM
Post #223 of 619
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Thanks Curt, makes perfect sense! DAMN YOU RESOLUTION COPPER!!!
What else can we do? I have written, I will go to the meeting...anything else? Shall we picket? :twisted:
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sportyj
Nov 13, 2004, 2:32 AM
Post #224 of 619
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Thanks Curt, makes perfect sense! DAMN YOU RESOLUTION COPPER!!!
What else can we do? I have written, I will go to the meeting...anything else? Shall we picket? :twisted:
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climbsomething
Nov 13, 2004, 3:10 AM
Post #225 of 619
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In reply to: For anyone who is interested, there will be a public meeting of The Friends of Queen Creek, on Thursday, December 2nd at 7pm. The location will be the AZ on The Rock climbing gym, in Scottsdale, AZ. Curt
And will there be pie and punch served? ;)
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