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If it isn’t grown, it must be mined
BY ROBERT A. LOVINGOOD
There’s an old saying, “If it isn’t grown, it must be mined.”
That could really be the motto of San Bernardino County. Ours is the largest mining county in California, with over 100 mines, most of which are currently active.
Mines right here in the High Desert produce everything from gold, silver and iron ore to specialty clays. Molycorp’s Mountain Pass operation produces rare earth minerals that are key to smart phones and flat screen TVs. Rare earth elements are also crucial for alternative energy applications and critical defense technologies. U.S. production is necessary to reduce our dependence on China’s rare earth elements by protecting local mines and encouraging mineral exploration.
Sand, gravel and crushed stone also come from local mines. They are the first step in the construction process and are used for making cement, concrete, asphalt and other building materials.
The High Desert is home to three cement plants: CEMEX in downtown Victorville, TXI-Riverside Cement in Oro Grande and Mitsubishi Cement Corporation in Lucerne Valley. Mitsubishi employs 174 people, pays $1.3 million a year in property taxes to San Bernardino County and $15 million a year in employee salaries, plus about $20 million a year with High Desert suppliers of materials and services. And CEMEX was the county’s fourth largest taxpayer.
So it’s no surprise that mining is a key sector in the County of San Bernardino's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The County’s mining industry provides good paying core jobs. Between 750 and 1,000 people work in the local mining industry, with average earnings of $76,065 in 2012. With the industry producing so many jobs and economic benefit, it’s no wonder that cement is called “gray gold.”
Our mining industry is a shining star on our economic horizon for a number of reasons. As the County’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy states, there will be a growing demand for San Bernardino County’s deposits of rare earth elements. The open spaces of the County allow for further development to accommodate population growth in addition to demand for construction materials around Southern California. So we expect continued strong demand for building materials.
As we recognize Mining Appreciation Week, I hope both the public and government at the local, state and federal levels will better appreciate the tremendous public benefit and economic value of San Bernardino County’s mine operators. Those of us in public service need to renew our commitment to efficiently and promptly handling mine permits and a fair regulatory process. To turn our backs on mine operations is to kill the goose that lays the golden egg.
Robert A. Lovingood is a member of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors representing the First District.
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