TX Mining Monthly
January 2021
Messages
Chairman’s Message by Andy Hawbaker – New Year; New Beginnings 
As we move into 2021, we are seeing lots of new things happening:
• New administration;
• New COVID vaccinations;
• Maybe even some new friends & business partners!
Executive Director’s Message By Ches Blevins – TMRA 2021 and Our Future
  
Happy New Year! Choose safe and choose helping others! That’s my wish for ALL of us as we charge into 2021 with hope and expectations for a better year with challenges we SHOULD ALL face together! An advantage of being a bit older is that I’ve been able to get my first of two shots (Moderna). For those that haven’t, I encourage you to do so when you can. Neither Diann nor I had any bad reaction at all other than very minor soreness where we received the shot. Lasted a couple of days...just like any shot.
ROMCO Equipment Company
Waukesha-Pearce Industries, LLC
Industry News
IEA Tips Coal Rebound
  
Higher natural gas prices and electricity demand are set to slow the structural decline of coal use in the European Union and the US, which both might see their coal consumption grow for the first time in nearly a decade.
An All of the Above Energy Plan is Vital
  
Much of the relief outgoing President Donald Trump provided to the energy industry came in the form of executive orders and agency interpretations of their mandates. What one president’s administration gave in such forms can be taken away by its successor. If Biden plans to reverse Trump-era policies — and there have been many indications he does — it is likely he and key figures in his administration will begin doing so within weeks.
US Coal Plants and The Great Arctic Outbreak of February 1899
  
Our state and federal policy makers have created an environment where always available and affordable electricity for the American people has taken a back seat to the powerful, current focus on "decarbonization", which to date means shuttling in coal power plants. The trend started in the first term of President Obama with the entry of the 2010 EPA CO2 Endangerment Finding and the resulting EPA Clean Power Plan aimed squarely at US Coal. These misguided policies have been since mitigated by President Trump and his policies need to be respected and continued.
enCore Energy Corp. Completes Acquisition of Westwater Resources’ Texas Based Uranium Production & Resource Assets
  
enCore Energy Corp. is pleased to announce that it has executed a Share Purchase Agreement with Westwater Resources Inc. to acquire all of Westwater’s United States uranium assets. The assets include two licensed Texas-based in-situ recovery uranium production facilities, significant given there are only eleven ISR production facilities in the United States. Other assets included are mineral exploration leases in Texas, and more than 270 square miles (180,000 acres) of deeded mineral rights in New Mexico with four projects containing significant historical resources.
TMRA News
#TheFutureIsBright
We are in the process of developing a social media campaign for our Facebook and Twitter social media channels – #TheFutureIsBright – to highlight how you, a TMRA member, are supplying the power and materials that ensure a bright future as we move into 2021.
 
Have a photo to share?
Email Christian Goff at cgoff@pureenergypr.com to learn more or to submit your photo. 
 
HOLT CAT
Sponsor a Teacher
Sponsor A Teacher!
  
You can Sponsor A Teacher anytime during the year. This Sponsor A Teacher program gives all members/companies an opportunity to support TMRA’s successful teacher education program. A contribution of $1,500 will sponsor one teacher for a workshop that covers teaching materials, meals, lodging, etc. This is your chance to promote our industry by sponsoring a teacher! To learn more, click below.
Regulatory Update
Texas' Move to Control Coal Ash Pollution Could Shield Industry from Tougher Rules Under Biden-led EPA
  
Texas is close to finalizing a years-long effort to wrangle control of coal ash pollution from the EPA, a move that could, for a time, keep coal companies insulated from tougher rules expected from the next administration.
Technology
Final DOE Advanced Reactor Demonstration Awards Announced
  
Wrapping up an eventful year for advanced nuclear, the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Nuclear Energy announced $20 million in awards for the third of three pathways under its Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP). The ARDP program, which the DOE officially launched on May 14, will leverage Congressionally appropriated funding to enable actual construction of advanced nuclear reactors over the near-term and mid-term under three pathways.
The Rise of Robotics in Mining
  
Mining has entered a robotics boom as developers take substantial strides in AI, use of drones, and data capture and analysis technology that will deliver safety improvements and better managed mines, says Queensland Robotics executive chairman Andrew Scott.
COVID-19 Pandemic to Increase Miners’ Investment Towards Autonomous Vehicles: Poll
  
The mining industry has witnessed a surge in the use of autonomous vehicles to ensure continuation of operations and minimise the risk of coronavirus infection. Verdict has conducted a poll to assess whether the COVID-19 pandemic will increase investment by miners towards autonomous vehicles.
Legislative Update
Lawmakers include CCUS and USE IT Act in End of Year Legislation
  
Lawmakers have released a bipartisan energy bill, the first major overhaul of the nation's energy policies in over a decade. The bill encourages the innovation and adoption of advanced coal technologies. Please find the final energy and environmental policy legislation here as part of the omnibus appropriations package.
Miners Praise U.S. Spending Bill that Funds Rare Earths Programs
  
The pandemic aid and spending package signed by U.S. President Donald Trump includes more than $800 million to fund rare earths and strategic minerals research, spending that mining companies say will help counteract China’s dominance over the sector.
TMRA Tools and Tips
TMRA Social Media

Stay Connected with TMRA Social Media! 

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Upcoming Events
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Jan 2021
 
2021 Events
TMRA is currently developing our 2021 meeting calendar. Click below to stay tuned and updated.
Submit a Story
Have a Story or News Item to Share?
  
We are always looking to share news that is relevant and timely for TMRA members. If you have a submission and would like more information on deadlines, the type of content we are looking for and how to submit an idea, please reach out to Senior Content Strategist at rryals@naylor.com!
Help a Friend Join TMRA
Join TMRA!
  
As the owner of a business that is influenced by the mining economy, you have an interest in the issues that impact the industry. TMRA helps to keep members updated and informed. Please click below to learn more about the many benefits of being a TMRA member.