Pahrump Valley Gazette, Thursday, October 23,
California couple fighting for right to mine
1997 15
by Andy Holtmann
PVG Staff
Ed and Carol Baumunk haven't operated their talc mine in
Death Valley since the late 1970s. Now that the Baumunks
and new partner, Archie Jack-
son want to reopen the mine,
they are faced with losing it
forever.
When the California
Desert Protection Act was put
into effect in January 1995,
the boundaries of the Death ..,,
Valley National Park ex- ".! ...... :%
panded. What the Baumunks " ' "
were not prepared for was y
that the expansion included
their mine.
"We were all of a sudden
grouped in a wilderness area,"
Ed Baumunk said. "This has
always been a mining area
and should have remained
that way."
According to Baumunk, the National Park Service (NPS)
told him that he would not be allowed to operate the mine as it
would be a threat to the newly protected environment. Baumunk
said he received a fax from the NPS citing that if the mine were
reopened, the chances of endangering wildlife and pollution of
the Amargosa River would increase dramatically.
The Baumunks and Jackson contacted the NPS several
times and according to Baumunk, received the "red tape
welcome." So they took their case to the people, citing
reasons that the mine should be allowed to open and asked for
local support.
"What we wanted to stress is that it is good for the economy
here," Baumunk said. "It's not something that is just happen-
ing with us. Mines all over are being forced out of existence."
Baumunk said that many of the mines that are being closed
or restricted are the sole revenue for certain small towns. The
products that are produced as a result of mining are also in
danger as more and more mines go under. Baumunk said that
he has heard government talk
of oversees trading, yet he
said more and more foreign-
ers are coming to America's
mines for support.
"If (NPS) gets what they
want, then our country is dead
economically," Baumunk
said.
The Baumunks said they
were upset at the NPS re-
sponses to the support they
received and that Superinten-
dent Richard Martin was ig
noting the Baumunk's ques-
tions and concerns. They have
gone to Washington D.C.
three times with their issue
and are currently seeling help
from the state of California
as well.
"Martin said very bluntly
that we would never mine in
the park," Baumunk said.
"Trying to convince him of
the need for this mine was
next to impossible. He thinks
he is God and can do what-
ever he wants to."
The NPS though, tells a
different story. They state that
they are in favor Gf mining
and the only problem they
foresee is protecting the area
around them. Although Mar-
tin could not be reached for
Notices were placed on this authorized vehicle sign
restricting miners from entering mines in the area.
i
Ed Baumunk
stands by the
entrance of his talc
mine which hasn't
been operating
since the late 1970s.
comment, Mel Essington, park mining engineer for the NPS,
said that the Baumunks and Jackson axe on track to be
approved for mining in the park.
"We had to follow through with a claim validity exam to
determine if there was a suf-
ficient amount of wealth to be
mined," he said. "It was con-
cluded earlier this year that
was indeed an economically
viable property. Right now we
are processing plans and it
looks like the Baumunks will
be able to proceed."
Essington said that another
reason for delay was the
completion of the environ-
mental assessment for the
area in question. That study
is currently out for public re-
view and Essington said as
soon as all of the public com-
ment is accounted for, the de-
cision would be handed down.
The Baumunks have held their mining claim since 1952.
Their mine operated until the late 1970s when an asbestos
scare hit. Essington said tremolite, which was used as natural
asbestos, was listed by the Environmental Protection Agency
as a carcinogen and harraful to humans.
The Baumunks said that at the time, Death Valley decided
they didn't want the mines and gave them five years to
continue operation and shut down. The Baumunks decided to
shut down at that time instead of switching to open pit status
as many olhers did and destroying the existing environment.
Essington said that it was higher operating costs rather
than restrictions that forced mines out of business. He said
that the option to remain open had always existed.
Anywhere between 50-80 tons of talc could be produced
per day at the Baumunk's mine. Ed said that he currently has
interests and vouchers that reach as high as 800 tons per day.
He said his talc has been used in paper mills in Georgia and
Texas. the Coors Brewing Company in Colorado, and in
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While he said the cost of starting up again would be very
expensive and they don't have all of the equipment they need
yet, letting the mine go to waste wouldn't be right.
"What we need is a good common sense approach,"
Baumunk said. "We have a mine that is valuable and would
help the schools, the economy, and the surrounding region.
Isn't that worth a chance?"
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