Monitoring the water quality at Fort Madison. In 1997, the plant was awarded the Wildlife Habitat Council Certification for its efforts in wildlife enhancements.
Consistent with our company philosophy, all our locations have diligently worked on continual improvement efforts in the area of environmental management. Such efforts have focused on not only minimizing impact on the environment and complying with the myriad of environmental laws and regulations, but also have included measures to improve environmental quality. The key to these efforts has been incorporating environmental responsibilities and related activities into our day-to-day operations. Underlying all our mining, milling and production operations is the belief that mineral wealth can be utilized for human progress in harmony with conservation and recreation. A tremendous amount of environmental care and attention has been expended on all of our operations.
Henderson Operation
During our years of molybdenum production, the company has completed many reclamation projects, as well as constructing acres of wetland areas critical to surrounding habitats.
Protection of water quality / Industrial wastewater – The Henderson Mine collects and treats all of its industrial wastewater at a water treatment plant that was built in 1997. This system employs some of the newest and most effective treatment technologies available. Industrial wastewater generated at the Henderson Mill is collected, recycled and reused. The water is contained onsite high in the Rocky Mountains with no offsite discharges. Henderson follows a long list of prescribed best management practices to eliminate the potential for contamination of storm water (including rainwater and snowmelt) with industrial and naturally occurring contaminants. Constructing the mill site facility in the Williams Fork Valley provided an environmentally sound location for a tailing impoundment with a closed-loop water recycling system.
Protection of air quality / Dust emissions – Henderson Operation’s environmental program extends well beyond protecting water quality. Dust emissions are minimized through the use of numerous engineering and process control measures. The dust collection system for our transfer buildings at Henderson is a HEPA based (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which protects personnel and the mountain environment from airborne dust.
Protection of surrounding habitats / Reclamation projects – The Company has received numerous awards from the United States Forest Service and the Environmental Protection Agency for its environmental commitment. Such awards include national recognition of successful and innovative reclamation at the Urad mine site, which is located next to the Henderson Mine and commendation for successful environmental efforts during Henderson’s 1999 system upgrade project. Recently the Climax Mine received national attention for its work with local municipalities to manage biosolid sludge used as an effective growth medium in reclamation activities at the Climax Mine.
Fort Madison Operation
The view of the Fort Madison facility emphasizes the plant’s proximity to the adjoining natural area and the Mississippi River. The plant only occupies 10 percent of the total property. The company has given high priority to the maintenance and improvement of the area’s basic natural character.
Protection of water quality / Industrial wastewater – The Fort Madison plant practices water recycling wherever possible, achieving 97% recycling in the chemical plant. No water that comes into direct contact with the chemical process is discharged. Furthermore, the small amount of water that eventually does reach the natural drainage system is first fully treated and filtered to remove particulate and organic impurities.
Protection of air quality / Dust emissions – A key element of the overall environmental program at Fort Madison is continuous monitoring of air and water quality. Air monitoring stations continuously measure ambient air for sulfur dioxide, wind speed and direction.
Protection of surrounding habitats / Reclamation projects – At our Fort Madison plant an enhancement program to increase the wildlife-carrying capacity of the 900 acres of company property has been ongoing since the plant’s construction in 1974. Projects have included wetland improvements, reforestation, timber enhancement, 60 acres of prairie grassland establishment, over 100 birdhouses and wood-duck boxes, and wildflower and butterfly habitat areas. In 1997, the plant was awarded the Wildlife Habitat Council certification for its efforts in wildlife enhancements.
In 2005, the Environmental Management System was certified to the ISO 14001: 2004 International Standard.
