Ohio

The Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association (OAIMA) was selected to receive the 2011 Gary Prazen Living Legend of Mining Award. In a letter he wrote to OAIMA President Pat Jacomet, Robert Hartzell, executive director of the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, noted the award recognizes OAIMA’s educational programs and efforts to promote an awareness and appreciation of the mining and minerals industry, which provide “outstanding examples of how to provide the general public with a greater understanding of the industry’s role in our everyday lives.” The award will be presented at the museum’s annual induction banquet on Sept. 10 in Leadville, Colo.

North Dakota

Knife River employees from seven states helped their associates in central North Dakota and western Iowa in early June as flooding impacted homes, businesses, and neighborhoods in those locations. According to a Knife River press release, the company hauled materials to construct massive clay dikes and provided sand for thousands of volunteers who were sandbagging day and night. Employees from Oregon, Idaho, Montana, eastern North Dakota, and northern Michigan came to the aid of their peers in Bismarck and Mandan, N.D., and drove equipment 24 hours a day during the crisis. In Sioux City, Iowa, employees at Knife River worked around the clock to surround the company’s Jebro facility and hauled clay and sand for neighborhoods in danger of flooding. “This is a very tragic time for North Dakota and Iowa as families are being evacuated and homes abandoned. However, the spirit and strength of the residents in these areas is tremendous. To see strangers becoming friends over sandbagging efforts is a common occurrence. Knife River employees are a huge part of this massive work, and I am proud of their efforts and to call them co-workers,” said Bill Schneider, president and CEO. “Knife River and its employees will be a part of this flood fight until the last home isn’t in danger any more in our communities. I am glad that we can be there for our friends, neighbors, and our own employees who are impacted by this unprecedented flooding.”

Utah

The Utah Best of State Organization presented Staker Parsons Companies with a medal recognizing the company as the “Best of State” in the Manufacturing-Mineral Mining/Stone Quarrying category at an awards ceremony held June 4. According to the company, the medal is awarded annually to businesses that contribute to a better quality of life in Utah. Scott Parson, Staker Parson CEO, told the judges, “Despite a challenging construction economy in 2010, we succeeded in achieving significant milestones during the year. Our team is committed to safely building the preferred source for our customers, employees, shareholders, and neighbors.”

Wyoming

Last year was a good one for the mineral industry throughout the state, the Sublette Examiner reports. According to final results issued in early June by the state Department of Revenue’s Mineral Tax Division, its mineral valuation came in at $15.5 billion, up 23 percent from 2009 revenues of $12.6 billion. In sand and gravel mining, Campbell County led the state in terms of revenues. “The money from this mineral production is a shot in the arm for our counties that are still coming out of the recession,” said Gov. Matt Mead. “I will continue to push for the state to share its portion of the revenues with cities and counties so they can invest now, when the cost of construction is down and the prospects for economic development are high.”