Window of opportunity?

Every once in a while, a window of opportunity opens in life. Despite some nasty spring weather this week, the universe decided to open a window.
Thompson Creek Metals Co. has backed out of its option agreement with U.S. Energy, the mining company that holds the rights to take the molybdenum from Mt. Emmons.
Thompson Creek is real. It is a company highly respected in the mining world. CEO Kevin Loughrey is esteemed in the industry in general and the molybdenum trade in particular. The Thompson Creekers know what they are doing. And they have just backed away from a high-grade deposit of ore that is located in the mountain a stone’s throw from Crested Butte.
That action is real and it means something. Monday, between flights, Loughrey communicated to me that it was a decision of priority. To me that means the kazillion dollars-worth of moly in Red Lady isn’t a priority or at least very easy to get to within a certain profit parameter, at least right now. FYI, molybdenum is selling this week for about $17 pound.
So while many in this town will celebrate and declare victory (again), don’t be lulled into thinking this story is over. But a window has opened. U.S. Energy is not finished trying to mine the moly. They have already said they will re-establish contact with the Chinese to see if they want the ore. Seriously? Can you say hěn fán? I already know Tsingtao.
But the Thompson Creek decision makes it harder. A real company with real resources looked at the project and made a business decision to back away. So has an alphabet soup of smart mining companies: Amax, Kobex, Phelps Dodge, Climax. That has to send a message to the Larsen brothers who run U.S.E.
So now it might be time to look for the community to send a message as well. That message can include the fact that the community will continue to use every tool and pressure point to stop a potential mine that could damage the water we drink. But a second part of that message might be that it is time to end this war and find a permanent solution.

Some might argue that this is another sign a mine will never be developed and we can ignore it. That’s simply not correct. But let’s consider a shift and the idea of taking matters into our own hands. Is it time to approach the patent holders about a permanent solution where both sides walk away with a win? Can this community and its factions come together and rally to figure out a road map to take control of that land and thus its destiny?
Local politicos, the elected leaders of our community, might look at a mil levy for the county, the north end of the valley or the town of Crested Butte. That money could be used to at least pay the seven figures a year to operate and maintain the water treatment plant that sits on Mt. Emmons. It is a plant that will keep Coal Creek clear instead of orange. Now don’t do it unless you gain overall control, but U.S.E. could probably warm to the idea of taking that off its balance sheet.
Or think bigger. It might mean collaboration between the municipal governments, the area environmental organizations, the county, the local property owners and area businesses to define a plan where U.S. Energy benefits by washing its hands of this ill-fated mining project and it finally doesn’t have to worry about running a million-dollar plant it doesn’t want.
What other tools can the community utilize? Second-home owners? Conservation easements? Land trusts?
And then it will be the community that can decide to throw snow cats on that mountain instead of bulldozers. The community just might have a chance to take charge of its destiny. I’m just thinking out loud.

Windows of opportunity don’t always open easily. Sometimes they open just a crack. This one seems to be open in a spring storm and the snowflakes are pouring in, waking up everyone with hope and a chance. It doesn’t mean it will be easy. It doesn’t mean the window won’t close on our fingers. But it sure seems silly to ignore this chance and not try to at least explore what is on the other side of the glass.

By the way, some advice for our Chinese friends: Bú Yào and tiānì hěn lěng. (Loosely translated; We don’t want and the weather is cold here).