12/3/2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2002
Spokane, Washington — The Northwest Mining Association (NWMA) has honored four of its longtime members for their outstanding contributions to the mining community. During its 108th Annual Meeting, Exposition, and Short Courses in Spokane Tuesday night, the NWMA’s leadership presented awards to members who have spent years dedicating their time and energy to the Association and the mining industry.
This year’s recipient of the “President’s Award” for important contributions and service to the Association was Lee P. (Pat) Gochnour, Principal, Gochnour & Associates, Parker, CO. “A long-standing member, Gochnour provided vital leadership during a financially stressful time for the Association,” said Laura Skaer, executive director of the Northwest Mining Association. “Gochnour devoted time and energy and kept us going when we weren’t sure we would survive. Pat worked behind the scenes and successfully helped persuade our membership to dig a little deeper to keep us afloat.” Gochnour has served the industry for more than 20 years, offering advice on mine environmental and permitting issues.
Receiving the “Distinguished Service Award” for professional leadership and outstanding service to the minerals industry was Steven Borell, executive director, Alaska Miners Association. “Steve has championed the rights of the exploration industry,” said Skaer. “He looks out for the interests of the small miner and has been a strong supporter of the Mining Law.” Borell has an extensive background in mining. He started out as a pit foreman for Velva Mine in Velva, North Dakota more than 25 years ago. Borell began his own consulting company in 1989, Borell Mining & Engineering Services, Anchorage, Alaska. Before becoming a full-time consulting engineer, he worked in various positions in the mining industry, including: Maintenance Supervisor, Valdez Creek Mining Co. Inc., Cantwell, Alaska; Project Manager, Arch Minerals Corporation, Percy, Illinois; and ten years with Consolidation Coal Company.
The “Honorary Life Member” award is the Association’s highest individual award recognizing a person’s years of service to the NWMA. This year the award went to James K. Duff, vice-president, Business Development, Coeur, The Precious Metals Company. “What hasn’t Jim done for the Northwest Mining Association,” said Skaer. “During his presidency, he advanced the Association’s mission statement and devoted hours of personal time to promote the Association and the benefits of membership.” Duff is a past president of the Association, a former trustee, serving six years, and a former chairman and co-chairman of the annual convention. This year, Duff taught a convention short-course. He has a respected resume in the mining industry with 30 years of experience. As Coeur’s vice president, Duff is responsible for the company’s business development and acquisition activity. Before he joined Coeur in 1990, Duff worked for Bond International Gold, St. Joe Minerals in Chile and Argentina, The Bunker Hill Company, Copper Range Corporation and Newmont Mining Company.
The 2001 Platinum Award for Corporate Excellence went to Kennecott Minerals Company for outstanding leadership on environmental and social issues in mineral development. “Kennecott is an industry leader on Sustainable Development, building value for the company, its shareholders and the community,” said Skaer. “The Flambeau Mine in Wisconsin, Greens Creek in Alaska, Rawhide in Nevada, and Bingham Canyon in Utah are stellar examples of Kennecott’s commitment to corporate excellence and environmentally responsible mining.” Kennecott is a corporate member and long-time supporter of the Northwest Mining Association.
The Northwest Mining Association is a 107-year-old, 1,500-member, nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association based in Spokane, Washington. The purpose of the Association is to support and advance the mineral resource and related industries, represent and inform its members on technical, legislative and regulatory issues, provide for the dissemination of educational materials relating to mining, and foster and promote economic opportunity and environmentally responsible mining.
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