EASTERN OREGON
MINING ASSOCIATION
JULY 2024
VOLUME 418
MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE DUE IN JANUARY
IF YOU HAVEN’T PAID DUES YET THIS YEAR PLEASE DO SO NOW
Check the date on your address label. If it has 1-1-24 after your name, our records show that you haven’t paid your dues for this year. We need your help to stop the adoption of unreasonable and unworkable mining laws and regulations.
Please send your dues to: EOMA, PO Box 932, Baker City, OR 97814. You can also pay with a credit card on our website: eoma.us Or you can pay at the meeting. Your support is appreciated!
JULY 5th MEETING AT ELK CREEK ENTERPRISES
The EOMA monthly meeting is at the Elk Creek Enterprises saw shop located at 890 Elm Street in Baker City. The Board Meeting will begin at 6:00 PM and the general meeting follows at 6:30 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings. There is time for discussing mining and getting to know other miners. We will give away a 1 oz. silver medallion at the end of the meeting.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
The Sierra Club and other environmental organizations are working hard to prohibit the use of our resources on our public lands. They have a false belief that it will save the land and habitat. However, wildfires do tremendous damage on unmanaged, overgrown, undergrazed lands.
Also, the prevention of use of our vast mineral and other resources on public lands, means higher prices on goods such as batteries, lumber, and petroleum products. It also means there are fewer jobs for the people in this country. Instead of concentrating on cleaning up and improving the efficiency of the use of fossil fuels, and other resources, we are exporting the jobs and pollution to countries such as China. Properly use our natural resources for the benefit of our people.
ASSESSMENT WORK-Jan Alexander
Your Small Miner Waiver must be sent to BLM State Office by September 3, 2024. Your assessment work must be completed by September 1, but it can be filed later on at the county and it is not due at BLM until December 30, 2024. Most miners send these documents together by the September 3 date so BLM does not get mixed up. The fee at BLM is now $15/claim.
There are always questions about what the law requires miners to do each year to maintain their claims. You would think reclamation would count as assessment, but actually it doesn’t. The work done must relate to the development and extraction of the minerals.
According to Mineral Law, by BLM geologist Terry Maley, activities such as road construction and maintenance, both on and off the claims, qualify. Also, installation of mining machinery (i.e mills or process plants). Excavation and removals of ore, sampling and milling rock outcrops, mining underground, using equipment or hand tools, and activities such as panning, sluicing, and dredging, will also qualify. Work that does not qualify, according to Maley, includes assaying, reconnaissance surveys (i.e. just looking the area over) employment of a watchman if the mine is inactive and there is nothing to protect.
According to Maley, as long as assessment work is conducted in good faith, “for the purpose of working, prospecting or developing the mining ground embraced by location, or for the purpose of facilitating the extraction or removal of the ore therefrom” the work will qualify.
GROUP ASSESSMENT WORK- Mineral Law, Terry S. Maley
Terry S. Maley states the following: “From an early period the economy of operating contiguous mines or claims by a single system was recognized in section 5 of the Act of May 10, 1872. It was provided with respect to annual labor, that “where such claims are held in common such expenditure may be made on one claim”. However, in cases where “ordinary” placer claims were involved, where surface deposits may not represent one continuous orebody, work on one claim will not benefit development of all the claims.
Maley states, “Group assessment work must be done according to a system. That work as it is commenced on the ground, is such that, if continued, will lead to a discovery and development of veins or ore bodies that are supposed to be in the claims, or if these are known, that the work will facilitate the extraction of the ores and mineral. There must be a reasonable tendency to benefit the claim for which the work is asserted. In addition, “Assessment work may be performed outside the boundary lines of a claim, or outside the entire contiguous claim group so long as the work benefits the claim or contiguous group. Work may take place on patented lands so long as the work benefits the entire group. Also, construction of access roads off the claims qualifies”. Thus, if you have one orebody and contiguous claims, and work on one claim will lead to development of the other claims, you do not actually have to go on the other claims and do work.
MINERS JUBILEE JULY 19-21, 2024-Jan Alexander
This year we will assign spaces along “Miners’ Row”. We hope to fill the entire length of Grove Steet where it runs in front of the museum. EOMA will have kid’s panning as usual, EOMP will provide kid’s metal detecting, Rick Denton will bring in a small processing plant that is self-contained. We would love to have more processing equipment if you are willing to bring it in.
EOMA has t-shirts and hats to sell. Laura Perrigan has donated a beautiful handmade quilt for the drawing and we also have a Pine Creek nugget necklace.
Saturday afternoon will be quite exciting with the Oregon State Gold Panning Championships, complete with cash prizes. Ashgrove Cement sponsors these contests each year. Ashgrove Cement is a mining company, and is one of the largest non-government employers in Baker County.
Tim Bliss has done some remarkable reclamation with native plants at the Eureka Mine near Sumpter and we will have pictures of the work he has done. Terry will have her power point presentation of the original Bonannza Mine operation and the reclamation project she undertook.
WHAT IS A MINING OPERATION?-Oregon State’s definitions
ORS 517.120 includes definitions under ORS 517.120 to 517.133 to 517.133 pertaining to interfering with a mining operation:
(1) “Mining” means the removal of gold, silver or other precious minerals from aggregate or a vein of ore.
(2) “Mining claim” means a portion of the public lands claimed for the valuable minerals occurring in those lands and for which the mineral rights are obtained under federal law or a right that is recognized by the United States Bureau of Land Management and given an identification number.
(3) “Prospecting” means to search or explore, using motorized or nonmotorized methods, for samples of gold, silver or other precious minerals from among small quantities of aggregate or ore.
(4) “Recreational mining” means mining in a manner that is consistent with a hobby or casual use, including use on public lands set aside or withdrawn from mineral entry for the purpose of recreational mining, or using pans, sluices, rocker boxes, other nonmotorized equipment and dredges with motors of 16 horsepower or less and a suction nozzle of four inches or less in diameter.
(5) “Small scale mining” means mining on a valid federal mining claim operating under a notice of intent or plan of operations while using whatever equipment is necessary, as approved by the notice of intent or plan of operations, to locate, remove and improve the claim. [1999 c.354 §1]
GRAPHITE CAN COME FROM A SURPRISING SOURCE-Bloomberg News | June 20, 2024 | 7:22 am Battery Metals Energy USA Graphite
Graphite is key to manufacturing the lithium-ion batteries that power everything from electric cars to smartphones. While China is the world’s top producer and exporter of the crystalline carbon, there’s been a push to grow a US supply chain.
Oakland-based startup Molten Industries is working to build it by relying on something that’s cheap and abundant in the US: natural gas. The company has developed a specialized technique to break methane into graphite and hydrogen, the latter of which can be used as a source of clean energy. The effort is funded in part by a $25 million Series A financing round led by Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV).
“This is at the intersection of two really important climate tech theme areas for us at Breakthrough: making batteries scaleable and more cost-effective to drive EV sales to grow, and on the other side, low-cost clean hydrogen,” said BEV managing director David Danielson.
Big automotive companies are hungry for low-cost, reliable domestic graphite due to international supply chain issues, he added. Graphite is typically mined or made synthetically from fossil fuels, and China controls about three-quarters of the world’s graphite anode supply chain, according to data from mineral intelligence firm Benchmark.
Higher freight costs like those experienced during the pandemic and China’s temporary export restrictions have raised concerns in the US and elsewhere about the risk of largely relying on one source of the valuable material. Boosting domestic production is a key priority of the Biden administration, which in 2022 invoked the Defense Production Act to fund the industry.
To create graphite, Molten relies on pyrolysis, a technique that involves heating methane until it breaks into its constituent components of carbon and hydrogen. If there’s no oxygen or water present during this process, the methane gets split without any resulting CO2 emissions.
Other pyrolysis companies exist but most create products like soot or carbon black that can’t be used in battery production. Those companies also often rely on microwave or plasma-based heating, techniques that can be very energy-intensive. By contrast, Molten’s reactor is like a toaster: It uses resistive heating, which is more efficient, according to co-founder and chief executive officer Kevin Bush.
Molten says its graphite will be cost-competitive with other sources. It’s also banking on the fact that customers will want a lower-emissions synthetic graphite than the kind currently on the market, which is made by treating fossil fuel-based feedstocks using a process that emits methane and air pollutants. The only potential sources of emissions in Molten’s process are from producing the natural gas it uses as feedstock or the grid electricity powering the pyrolysis.
LILAC SOLUTIONS RELEASES LITHIUM EXTRACTION DATA-Michelle Ma and Rafaela Jinich) Reuters | June 25, 2024 | 7:12 am Battery Metals USA Lithium
Lilac Solutions said on Tuesday the latest version of its lithium extraction technology can recover more than 90% of the lithium found in many brine formations, and that it has cut the construction cost of its system by 50%.
The release of the long-awaited data on Lilac’s process for recovering lithium – a key component in electric vehicle batteries that is abundant but can be hard to process – is aimed at rebutting claims its technology is inefficient and uneconomical as it works to woo clients across the globe.
Oakland, California-based Lilac, which was founded in 2016 and counts BMW and Breakthrough Energy Ventures as investors, has long been reticent to release data related to its version of a direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology.
Despite growing interest in the DLE sector from Exxon Mobil, Saudi Aramco and others, no DLE technology has worked at commercial scale without the use of traditional evaporation ponds.
Lilac on Tuesday released a 24-page white paper on the fourth generation of its technology, which uses ion exchange ceramic beads to attract lithium in batch cycles – akin to a laundry machine – after which a water-and-acid mixture is used to wash off the metal.
The data release comes as Lilac and its rivals – including International Battery Metals, EnergyX, Sunresin and others – are heavily marketing their DLE technologies to potential customers across the globe. “Our technology works and I want to show that,” Raef Sully, who became Lilac’s CEO in February, said on the sidelines of the Fastmarkets Lithium Supply and Battery Raw Materials Conference, one of the world’s largest gatherings of lithium producers. “We’re trying to close that gap between rumor and perception and be like, ‘Hey, here we are. Here’s the data.’”
On Tuesday, the company said that the latest version of its technology works for 4,000 cycles, and can reduce water usage with the use of recycling equipment, Sully said.
Lilac plans to use the latest version of its DLE technology at Utah’s Great Salt Lake, where a pilot plant should be online by October, Sully said. Lilac is also eyeing lithium projects in Arkansas, South America and Europe, he added.
“We’re trying to change the narrative and show this whole ‘phantom DLE’ thing is no longer phantom,” said Garrett Krall, head of Koch’s lithium business. “We now are ready to guarantee our (DLE) process in any brine resource around the world.”
POSTER-Jan Alexander
I saw this poster in Range Magazine. CAR AND DRIVER SAYS 95% OF ELECTRIC CARS ARE STILL ON THE ROAD. THE REMAINING 5% MADE IT ALL THE WAY HOME.
POWDER RIVER MINING PROJECTS-Jan Alexander
The Powder Mining Projects EIS, which was published in the Federal Register in 2018, still is not completed. The Forest Supervisor did not reply with the status of this document and no one else seems to know. Getting approval to explore/mine on the National Forest is next to impossible here on the Wallowa-Whitman.
HUDSON MINE UPDATE-Jan Alexander
After the Forest Service destroyed the mine access road by ripping out the gabions that were installed with Forest Service approval over 30 years ago, to stabilize the roadbed. A flash flood this spring took out the creekbank and now there is no roadway at all. The interim District Ranger informed Laura Perrigan that she would need to hire an engineer to do the plans for a new access road.
Laura’s mine is located in one of the study areas for new wilderness in the Forest Plan Revision. The Forest Service has destroyed the portal and destroyed the access road, just so they can have some more wilderness. It is not right.
AEMA COMMENDS DECISION REGARDING MILLSITES-AEMA
The American Exploration & Mining Association released the following statement regarding today’s D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision affirming the lower court’s determination that the Mining Law does not place a strict restriction on the number of mill sites permissible for ancillary purposes.
“Today’s decision from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals is a tremendous victory for the mining industry and for AEMA, which has long fought to protect rights under the Mining Law so critical to our members’ ability to responsibly produce the minerals needed for modern society and our national defense,” said Mark Compton, Executive Director of the American Exploration & Mining Association. “The majority opinion noted the statutory provisions in the Mining Law are clear, and the appellants’ reading of it was ‘strained.’ AEMA is proud to intervene in this case in defense of the Department of the Interior regulations, and we will continue to fight on behalf of our members and the mining industry.”
Background: In October 2020, a decision from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in Earthworks et al. vs. U.S. Department of the Interior et al., reaffirmed rights under the Mining Law and protected the rights of miners to explore, develop and operate on federal lands.
In the case, which dates back to 2009, the two primary claims of significant concern to our members and the industry were plaintiffs’ challenges to BLM’s 2008 Mining Claim Rule and 2003 Mill Site Rules. AEMA intervened in defense of the Department of the Interior regulations. Upon appeal, plaintiffs dropped their challenge to the 2008 Mining Claim Rule
DO YOU WANT YOUR NEWSLETTER DELIVERED BY MAIL OR BY E-MAIL?
With the cost of postage going up, we are looking at options for mailing the newsletter. If you would rather have your newsletter delivered in the mail box that is fine. If you want to receive the newsletter by e-mail, send a message to alxk@ortelco.net
EOMA ADVERTISING AND SALE LISTINGS
WANTED MINING PROPERTY (15)
I would like to rent/lease/lease with option to buy property that may be productive for metal detecting and mining. Especially areas with tailings like the Powder River near Sumpter, or other local areas. Thanks, Johnny West. Email: jwestboise@gmail.com
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
PRICE REDUCED-SIMPSON AND LUCKY PLACER CLAIMS FOR SALE
The Simpson is an 80-acre association placer and must be quit-claimed to a group of four miners. The Lucky group is composed of three 20-acre claims. These can be purchased by one miner. Both claim groups are covered by approved Plans of Operation and both are located on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.
My health is forcing me to sell these claims. Give me a call if you are interested and please make me an offer. Call Dave at 810-523-7313.
MINING EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
Equipment located in Baker City:
Small trommel, feeder/grizzly, infeed conveyor, Honda pump, 20KW generator, 3” flat hose, sluice
Commercial Sized trommel, feeder, stacker, pump (has cracked housing) sluice
Also, scraper, Conex boxes, clean-up table, road runner screen, screen, diesel tank and pump, army trailer, two slurry pumps, a Honda pump, clean-up room equipment, and additional flat hose.
Equipment located on Connor Creek:
Feeder
Additional flat hose
I can send pictures and can provide details on this equipment. I am willing to discuss offers. Call Bill at 503-781-4393. E-mail me at dei@teleport.com.
TEST TROMMEL FOR SALE-$1500
This unit is mounted on a trailer and can easily be moved into a site for testing the deposit. Contact Bob at firebasebob@hotmail.com. My phone number is 541-473-2880
I can e-mail you pictures.
CAPITOL PROSPECTING-METAL DETECTING AND MINING SUPPLIES
We are located in Baker City at 2801 Broadway Street. We buy used equipment and sell both new and used equipment. Come in and see what we have, or call me at 503-269-8640. My e-mail is CapitolProspecting@hotmail.com.
We appreciate your business. Gary and Christina Earle
ACTION MINING SERVICES, INC.(ca)
AMS is selling assay supplies, screens, chemicals and labware! Call for a quote and mention this ad for 10% off! Assay supplies, concentrators, impact mills, technical books (for the beginner to the advanced mill man), & more! Call for our free catalog or visit us online! Check out our website for information on Wave tables. We are located in Plains, Montana. Please call 406.826.9330 to place your order. This way our staff can have it pulled and ready for pick up. Otherwise, we can always ship your order! sales@actionmining.com • www.actionmining.com
AMERICAN EXPLORATION & MINING ASSOCIATION
EOMA is a member of American Exploration & Mining Association, and many of our members are also individual members. American Exploration & Mining Association is a 128-year-old, 1,400-member, national association representing the minerals industry. With members in 46 states, AEMA is the recognized national voice for exploration, the junior mining sector, maintaining access to public lands, and represents the entire mining life cycle, from exploration through production to reclamation and closure.
You can become a member of AEMA by going to their website at https://www.miningamerica.org
SUBSCRIBE TO MINING JOURNAL FOR UP TO DATE NEWS (ca)
ICMJ’s Prospecting and Mining Journal is your monthly source for news, legislation, how-to articles and more. Josh and Sherrie Lynn Reinke are the new owners of the Mining Journal, same great news source! A full year is still only $29.95; or get a print and an online subscription for just $44.95, and get access to our last 16 years of articles online too. Published monthly since 1931. Visit us at www.icmj.com or call at (831) 479-1500 to get your subscription.