Face-to-face meeting with U.S. Energy a first step

Willingness on both sides to move forward

Local representatives concerned with the potential of a molybdenum mine on Mt. Emmons sat in a U.S Energy boardroom for several hours with the top executive of the mining company and his attorneys, last Thursday, March 6. While there was no magic solution, the participants came away from the Riverton, Wyo. meeting optimistic that there could be a chance to find a permanent solution to the threat of a mine on Red Lady.

“It was a good meeting,” said Crested Butte Town Manager Todd Crossett. “We reopened discussions with the company and I feel the door has been reopened. Having HCCA and the Red Lady Coalition at the table was huge. Overall, I think it was positive.”
“It went well. We basically agreed to go back and think about the options,” said Crested Butte Town Attorney John Belkin. “So, we need to think about ways to get to a permanent solution.”
“It went well and was a good start to what we hope will, in the future, become detailed discussions over a long-term resolution to Mt. Emmons issues. We’re discussing developing a proposal together, but there are no specifics yet,” added High Country Citizens’ Alliance Executive Director Greg Dyson. “Other than that, there’s not much detail to report at this time.”
“Both sides are looking for a resolution to see if we can identify something that works for everyone,” added Crossett. “The big take-away is that we are talking and I’m fairly hopeful we can find a path forward.”
“I think it was a good conversation,” agreed RLC President Bill Ronai. “The first real positive is that they’re willing to talk to everyone, including HCCA and the RLC. There will be further discussions, with the bottom line that we’re all willing to work on a proposal that can lead to a permanent solution. There really aren’t more details at this time but we’re encouraged at this stage of the game.
“They’ll come back to us with a proposal as a first crack at it,” continued Ronai. “There’s no specific timeline but there seems to be a willingness to take some forward steps on both sides.”
Crossett said the goal of this trip to the USE headquarters in Riverton was to have a constructive conversation and explore options. He said the two sides met for several hours. USE President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Larsen, along with a consulting and in-house attorney, represented the company.
“The meeting with the town parties was very amicable and productive,” said Larsen in an email. “We appreciate their efforts to continue a meaningful dialog with U.S. Energy Corp. regarding the historic Keystone Mine VCUP and a potential long-term resolution for the mine.”
“I think it was an open discussion,” concluded Crossett. “It was low key but forward looking.”
Crossett said from the town perspective, he and Belkin would give a report to the Town Council at this coming council meeting on Monday. Some of that report would be held in executive session. He did say any permanent solution would include discussions about the Keystone Mine and the wastewater treatment plant.
“It will be up to the council to decide how to proceed,” he said. “This meeting was intended as a starting point, not just a one-and-done meeting.”
“I do feel it was very worthwhile to sit down together in the same room,” summarized Dyson. “One of the first steps is to tackle confidentiality agreements. That’s a real concern for them as a private company. From there we will all try to develop a framework for moving forward. Overall from our perspective, I think it was good to have a direct conversation with U.S. Energy.”