Passport Potash company president Joshua Bleak expects to start construction of a potash mine in the Holbrook basin in 3 years with actual mining to begin in 5 years, according to a story in the Arizona Journal. Bleak and other company personnel spoke to a group of about 100 local government and business leaders and company investors at a luncheon set up at the potash exploration site on Monday. [right, potash sample. Credit, USGS]
According to the news article the company is considering either underground or solution mining options. Solution mining would require about 2,000 gallons of water per minute. The project "has the potential for 1,000 to 1,500 construction jobs, and 300 to 500 full-time jobs that will provide an annual salary of around $70,000," according to Bleak.
Passport and the other company active in the area, HNZ LLC, are each in the midst of extensive drilling and exploration programs in the basin.
Surprisingly, not one mention or concern was made at this luncheon as to how this mining may affect the National Park who's borders they will be working on.
ReplyDeleteI am a poster/blogger from Stockhouse.com. I am also a PPI shareholder. I was on the tour in Holbrook area on Mar.14/11.
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to my blog. I am having trouble posting it in “the comments’ section of your blog. Perhaps you could post it as I have photos and written summary of the tour that might interest your readers.
Thank you, Rob...aka..Goodinfo11
http://www.stockhouse.com/Blogs/ViewDetailedPost.aspx?p=114285
Rather tragic that you have elected to not only quote, but to direct attention to someone with such a narrow and misguided agenda as goodinfo ( alias godinfo ).
ReplyDeleteRather than giving him credence, you have only served to cast grave doubt on your own judgement.
Tragic? Remember, there are two kinds of narrow and misguided agendas. The readers of your blog can tell the difference.
ReplyDeleteFirst off there will be no mining in the park areas or the area the park is purchasing for expansion. The rest of the land is owned privately, federally, and by the state of Arizona. This geological location is the reason why some will shaft mined, In order to not disturb any artifacts. This is also going to be big boost for the economy of the existing towns in the area. Navajo and Apache county are some of the poorest counties in the state. The people of these area's have been waiting for years for some sign of growth and job creation. They are looking quite forward to the perpective economical boom.
ReplyDelete...and let us not forget once you have the blessing of the Hopi Tribe, you are in like Flynn. However, I am greatly concerned about solution mining and the sacred supply of water in the area. My family hails from Holbrook since the 1800's, I am behind this mining effort but certainly have a cautious, jaundiced eye on the entire affair and want to see the safest, wisest practices followed in order to preserve our water supply in these counties.
ReplyDeleteLIVING IN HOLBROOK FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS HAS TAUGHT ME THAT HOLBROOK WILL FIND A WAY TO DISCOURAGE ANY FORWARD MOTION UNLESS THE ELITE PEOPLE OF HOLBROOK CAN MAKE A PROFIT FROM THIS
ReplyDeleteOK Folks did you read solution mining will use 2,000 gallons of water a minute. Oh well, the employees making a salary will have enough money to haul water from somewhere else. Upton Sinclair wrote over 100 years ago,"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when His salary depends upon Him not understanding it".Good luck to all you future water haulers!
ReplyDelete