What is Nevada's strong point when it comes to supplying the green transition?
Nevada is the most prominent jurisdiction for mining in the U.S., and the Fraser Institute had it ranked amongst the top five global mining regions for at least a decade. It has a unique geographical and geological profile, and over the 150 years of our existence as a state, the focus on the various minerals garnered by our lands has constantly changed.
We started out in the 19th century as a silver producer, then we shifted towards copper, followed by industrial minerals, and today our strong suit is represented by gold and lithium.
Currently we produce about 20 metals and minerals but we have many more, and whether they will be produced here will depend on economy and access.
How do you perceive the attitude of the community regarding the importance of the mining sector?
Mining has fallen out of the public eye not only in the world, but also in Nevada. Our state's cornerstone is this very industry that is today forsaken, but, in the past, if they did not live near a mine, Nevadans surely knew somebody who worked in mining. Today this ratio is completely reversed, and this change affects how the industry presents itself to the public, and how we interact with those who seem to think that mining is no longer necessary. The vast majority of the population living in urban areas tends to lean to the left while the rural areas lean to the right, thus making Nevada a purple state, totally different from the rest of Western U.S.
How is the Association trying to bring the industry back into the public eye?
Twice a year we hold a teacher's workshop in Reno and Las Vegas, and we provide the opportunity to spend two days with experts in the area, and to go on field trips where the participants meet the miners directly. In addition, we also take interested people on a mine tour where they can explore the site, visit the facilities, and experience the industry.
Are visitors surprised about how different their expectations and the actual mines are?
During a tour organized for people working in the medical field, we mentioned that while hazardous, we have learned how to mitigate danger in mining, hence making it one of the safest industries. This statement was met with skepticism, but by the end of the tour, after we had gone underground and explored all nooks and crannies, the group reached the conclusion that a mine is actually safer than a medical office. This acknowledgement is a great confirmation of all the effort we put into making sure that miners go home safe and healthy at the end of every day.
Given the increased demand for raw materials, is the Association and its members preparing for a scale up?
Of our 110,000 square miles, 86% is managed by the Federal Government (and by the Bureau of Land Management – BLM, in particular). This makes Nevada more comparable to countries in South America or Africa where the government is more actively engaged in mining activities. In order to explore for minerals, companies need permission from the BLM, and if a viable deposit is found, a bond for closure is mandatory before construction can even begin. As a result, it can be truly difficult to expand development, so most companies are looking around outside their footprint to see if there is the opportunity for expansion.
Talent is probably the scarcest non-mineral resource of the mining industry; how is Nevada faring in this respect?
We are fortunate that we still have one of the last 11 mining schools left in the U.S., but at the country level, we are certainly not producing enough mining engineers, geologists, metallurgists and environmental scientists. In a particular semester, China would have 2000 mining engineers studying while Nevada has only ten. Part of this discrepancy is a lack of interest from students, which is one of the reasons we try to engage with them to show mining is not only a viable profession, but also a durable one.
What are the main challenges you think you will be facing in the next five years, and what main objectives could counter their effect?
One of our challenges dovetails with one of the objectives. Given that we are the public face for the industry and we provide transparency, the challenge is to reach audiences on various media and in various ways. Explaining the passion that miners have for the industry, and the value that mining brings to our 21st-century modern lifestyle is a tricky goal. Our future mission is to provide a context where mining companies can learn from each other, and continuously improve best practices.
