You may think bats are scary, but what's truly terrifying is the mysterious fungus that's decimating the bat population, according to an article by Stacy Chase in last Sunday's Boston Globe:
At least 1 million bats in the past three years have been wiped out by a puzzling, widespread disease dubbed “white-nose syndrome” in what preeminent US scientists are calling the most precipitous decline of North American wildlife in human history. If it isn't slowed or stopped, they believe bats will continue disappearing from the landscape in huge numbers and that entire species could become extinct within a decade.
This would have drastic repercussions for the rest of us. As Tim King, a conservation geneticist with the US Geological Survey in West Virginia, told Chase, “We're at the vanguard of an environmental catastrophe.”
Why? Because bats are insect-eating machines, capable of consuming nearly half their body weight in insects each night. Take them out of the equation and we'll have an explosion of pests, including disease-carrying mosquitoes and agriculturally destructive beetles, moths, leafhoppers and other foes of the farmers, who may be forced to use more pesticides as a result.
Bat colonies in Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont have averaged a shocking 94.5 percent decline since white-nose syndrome was first detected there in 2006, plummeting from 48,626 bats to 2,695. The disease's spread “has been terrifyingly swift,” according to the Globe, starting in the Northeast and South Atlantic states and now infiltrating “caves and mines in Kentucky and Tennessee, and possibly North Carolina and Ohio.”
But, unlike colony collapse disorder, the highly publicized disease that's destroying our bees, white nose syndrome isn't getting much attention. As Susi von Oettingen, a biologist who works for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, noted, “They're not charismatic. . . . We don't make money off of them. They are not cute and cuddly.” Let's face it; even baby bats aren't all that adorable.
Julia Whitney Barnes, a New York artist, did her best to glamorize these critical but creepy critters last year by hanging over 30 life-sized, gold-plated ceramic bats from a willow tree on Brooklyn's waterfront. The installation, entitled “Gilded Phytophillic Bats,” was intended “to raise awareness of the mysterious environmental problem causing widespread death in many bat colonies,” Barnes explains on her website. By gold-plating the bats, Barnes hoped to express “the precious role bats play in our ecosystem” and counteract the perception of bats as being “dangerous or grotesque.”
Bats have long been feared and misunderstood in our culture, with their fang-filled faces and freaky flying ways. But a future without them is the real horror, and it could happen if we don't give our scientists and agencies sufficient resources to combat white nose syndrome. Efforts to solve the mystery so far have been hampered by a lack of funding and coordination, as Chase reported.
This past June, US House subcommittees held hearings on the mysterious deaths, and $3.3 million has been allocated so far to study the disease. An additional $1.9 million for research on white nose syndrome was earmarked in a recent appropriations bill for this fiscal year.
But these amounts fall far short of what scientists and wildlife managers need to tackle the problem. In a budget request prepared for Congress, Thomas Kunz, a bat biologist from Boston University, estimated that $17.6 million is needed this fiscal year, and $38.3 million more over the next four years, to conduct essential research, surveillance, and management.
Scott Darling, a Vermont Fish and Wildlife biologist, told Chase:
This is more than just about bats dying. It's about a key player in our ecosystem disappearing before our eyes. It may be a model for the severity of diseases that our native species are going to be confronted with.
If it's frogs yesterday, bees two days ago, bats today, and something else in two more years, how long before this system falls apart on us?
Cross-posted from The Green Fork.
TC
TSX: TCM, TCM.WT
Frankfurt: A6R
TORONTO, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. (”Company”), one of the world's largest publicly traded, pure molybdenum producers, today announced new estimates for mineral resources and reserves and a new 16-year mine plan at its Thompson Creek Mine in Idaho. The new estimates are based on definition drilling conducted at the mine since the previous estimates were published in 2007.
“The drilling results are a positive development for the Company. We found additional mineable areas, particularly within the western wall of the existing pit, resulting in a 30% increase in contained molybdenum in proven and probable mineral reserves compared with the 2007 estimate,” said Kevin Loughrey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
“As a result, we have adopted a new 16-year mine plan to replace the previous 10-year plan. Adjusting for differing molybdenum price forecasts, starting points and mining production schedules, the economic value of the new plan exceeds that of the old,” Mr. Loughrey stated.
The updated mineral resources and reserves were estimated by mine staff and audited by Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. (”Scott Wilson RPA”) in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards. The mineral reserves have been estimated using a cut-off grade of 0.03% Mo and an average long-term molybdenum price of US$10 per pound. These were the same assumptions used for the 2007 estimates, which were also audited by Scott Wilson RPA. The 2009 estimates also used updated costs.
Thompson Creek Mine's proven and probable mineral reserves are estimated at 164.6 million tons at an average grade of 0.084% Mo containing 277.2 million pounds of molybdenum. The estimate is as of May 31, 2009.
These mineral reserves consist of proven reserves of 91.8 million tons at an average grade of 0.094% Mo and probable reserves of 72.8 million tons at an average grade of 0.072% Mo.
The mineral reserves are included in a revised estimate of measured and indicated mineral resources, which totals 326.4 million tons at an average grade of 0.068% Mo and contained Mo of 444.6 million pounds, using a cut-off grade of 0.03% Mo. This includes measured mineral resources of 132.4 million tons at an average grade of 0.084% Mo and indicated mineral resources of 194.0 million tons at an average grade of 0.057% Mo.
The Thompson Creek Mine also has additional estimated inferred mineral resources of 29.1 million tons at an average grade of 0.042% Mo.
The new estimates of mineral resources and reserves were audited by John T. Postle, M.Sc., P.Eng., Christopher Moreton, Ph.D., P.Geo. and Kevin Scott, P.Eng., all of Scott Wilson RPA, and all of whom are qualified persons as defined in National Instrument 43-101. Messrs. Postle, Moreton and Scott have reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.
Scott Wilson RPA also reviewed the Company's new 16-year mine plan and concluded that “the production targets, mine operating cost forecasts, and the capital cost forecast are reasonable.”
The new mine plan, which replaces a previous 10-year plan published in 2007, calls for the production of 247.6 million pounds of molybdenum over 16 years and is based on a pit design including previously planned Phases 6 and 7 and a revised Phase 8. Phase 8 had previously focused on mining reserves in the east wall of the pit but has been revised to include the mining of added proven and probable mineral reserves identified by definition drilling in the west wall of the pit.
The new mine plan assumes a return to full capacity utilization of the mill at the Thompson Creek Mine by January 2010. The mill's production rate was reduced to approximately 70% of full capacity in March 2009 due to economic conditions. The Company announced on November 5, 2009 that the mill has been operating at 78% of full capacity since September 2009 and is scheduled to operate at full capacity in January 2010.
Details of the new estimates and mine plan are available in a National Instrument 43-101 technical report that is being filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). A SEC-compliant technical report is also being filed on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
The previous estimates for the Thompson Creek Mine compiled by mine staff and audited by Scott Wilson RPA as of September 30, 2007 showed proven and probable mineral reserves of 108.9 million tons at an average grade of 0.098% Mo containing 213.5 million pounds of molybdenum.
The mineral reserves were included in the previously estimated measured and indicated resources of 255.9 million tons at an average grade of 0.076% Mo and contained molybdenum of 391.5 million pounds. In addition, there were estimated inferred mineral resources of 153.7 million tons at an average grade of 0.043% Mo.
The 2007 estimates of mineral resources and reserves were audited by William E. Roscoe, Ph.D., P.Eng. and John T. Postle, M.Sc., P.Eng., both of whom are qualified persons as defined in National Instrument 43-101.
About Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc.
Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. is one of the largest publicly traded, pure molybdenum producers in the world. The Company owns the Thompson Creek open-pit molybdenum mine and mill in Idaho, a metallurgical roasting facility in Langeloth, Pennsylvania and a 75% share of the Endako open-pit mine, mill and roasting facility in northern British Columbia. Thompson Creek is evaluating the Mount Emmons Deposit, a high-grade underground molybdenum deposit near Crested Butte, Colorado. Thompson Creek has an option to acquire up to 75% of the Mount Emmons Deposit. The Company is continuing to pursue permitting of the Davidson Deposit, a high-grade underground molybdenum deposit near Smithers, B.C. The Company has approximately 750 employees. Its principal executive office is in Denver, Colorado, and it also has an office in Toronto, Ontario. More information is available at www.thompsoncreekmetals.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
—————————————————-
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the timing and amount of estimated future production. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Thompson Creek and/or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include the future price of molybdenum, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates and those factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Thompson Creek's current annual information form which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and is incorporated in its Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission which is available at www.sec.gov. Although Thompson Creek has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Thompson Creek does not undertake to update any such forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of
——————————————————————
Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources.
——————————————-
This news release uses the terms “Measured”, “Indicated” and “Inferred” Resources. United States investors are advised that while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them. “Inferred Mineral Resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources will ever be converted into Mineral Reserves. United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.
Readers should refer to Thompson Creek's current annual information form which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and is incorporated in its Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC which is available at www.sec.gov and subsequent continuous disclosure documents available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov for further information on mineral reserves and mineral resources, which is subject to the qualifications and notes set forth therein.
CONTACT: Wayne Cheveldayoff, Director of Investor Relations, Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc., Tel: (416) 860-1438, Toll free: 1-800-827-0992, wcheveldayoff@tcrk.com; Dan Symons, Renmark Financial Communications Inc., Tel.: (514) 939-3989, dsymons@renmarkfinancial.com
SOURCE Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc.
basketball jerseys,
nhl jersey
Gem or gold mining is a fun and sometimes profitable hobby. Kids love anything where they can dirty and find something cool. Adults enjoy possibly getting some jewelry made from a gemstone they find themselves. And who knows you may even find some gold or a gemstone worth selling and making a buck. This article is about gem mining in California that is open to the public. California has a rich history of mining and you can take part in that yourself. All the California gem mines listed will have a website link.
Oceanview Mine
The Oceanview Mine is located in San Diego County's Pala Mining District and is the last operating gem mine there. Visit their website here for pricing and more information. This is screen mining from what falls on the floor during blasting in the mine. The Oceanview Mine in California also sells jewelry and mine rough. Quartz, kunzite, tourmaline, beryl are some of the things you may find at the Oceanview Mine.
Himalaya Tourmaline Mine
The Himalaya Tourmaline Mine is also in San Diego County, California. They have been open since 1898! According to their website which you should visit here, they have produced more Tourmaline than any other mine in the world. Cabins, camping and RV hookups mean you can stay right there while doing your rock hounding in California. This California mine has been featured on the Travel Channel.
California State Gem Mine
The California State Gem Mine is a Benitoite mine is located in Coalinga California and their website is here. At this time (check website for changes) the prices are $70 a day for adults, 12 and under is $20. Rockhound members from any Federation club get a 50% discount on admission. They are open on weekends only, from 9 am to 3 pm. You need to bring lunch and drinks as well as clear safety glasses, and lawn chairs. Kids and pets are permitted if they (pets) are leashed. Personally I probably would have to leash my kids as well.
Cave Mine Adventures
Check the website here for pricing and other details. They have flumes at Black Chasm Cavern, Moaning Cavern, California Cavern and Sutter Gold Mine. At these mines you can do gemstone mining or gold panning, or buy bags of material already screened. I like the fact that you can also buy an arrowhead bag, as I love Indian or historical stuff.
Cryo-GenieMine
Another San Diego County California mine, there website can be found here. $40 a day (at this time) gets you a mine lease to go through material missed in regular mining operations. You are allowed to use only hand tools at this California Tourmaline mine.
Sources
http://cash-and-treasures-wiki.travelchannel.com
Photo used comes form Wikimedia Commons and the Creative CommonsAttribution 2.0 License
Francis Cantrell