Recent Articles

New PricewaterhouseCoopers Study Shows Importance of Minerals Mining to Economic Growth in Numerous Key Industries

Mike Mills
January 10, 2012 22:14

One of the few sectors that consistently added jobs in 2011 was U.S. minerals mining. Today, this industry supports 1.1 million American jobs nationwide and has enabled modern products such as aircrafts, medical equipment and state-of-the-art electronics to come to fruition. Some of the fastest...

Administration's Proposed Mining Tax Threatens Health of U.S. Minerals Mining

Mike Mills
November 14, 2011 16:18

As the stalled economy pushes Washington closer to a decision on how to manage America’s wealth of mineral resources, two paths have emerged. One offers the possibility of increased domestic minerals production and the potential for long-term growth. Through legislation that would assess...

Additional Details On The Removal Of Elena Miller And Derek Chernow

Tom Henry
November 10, 2011 16:54

Here is more information on Governor Brown's removal of Elena Miller as the head of California's Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR).  Derek Chernow, the head of California's Department of Conservation was also removed.  In addition to supervising DOGGR,...

Off Or On? Intrepeting The Requirements of AB 3098

Tom Henry
November 01, 2011 16:52

I provided the following paper at the recent CalCIMA conference in Monterey, California. Overview The Office of Mine Reclamation’s (OMR) decision to list or delist a mine from its list of “good mines” maintained under Public Resources Code Section 2717 (the AB 3098 list)...

To List Or Delist Is The Question - California Mines

Tom Henry
September 12, 2011 16:40

The Office of Mine Reclamation has the authority under Public Resources Code Section 2717 (the AB 3098 list) to list or delist a mine from its list of “good mines.” This authority can have an enormous impact on a mine’s ability to sell to public agencies, which is a critical...

Proposed California Legislation To Regulate Hydraulic Fracturing Stalls In State Senate With A New Hydraulic Fracturing Bill Poised for Introduction In 2012

Mike Mills
September 12, 2011 16:27

Falling victim to a Legislature pre-occupied with massive budget deficit issues and last minute wrangling over the Governor’s corporate tax package on out-of-state companies, AB 591, California’s legislative foray into the charged arena of hydraulic fracturing regulation, stalled in the...

CalCIMA Education Conference

Mike Mills
July 25, 2011 22:02

Join Stoel Rives Partners Michael Mills and Tom Henry for the CalCIMA Education Conference.  Stoel Rives is a proud sponsor of this event.  California leads the nation in construction aggregate production.  The California Construction and Industrial Materials Association is a...

57th Annual Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute

Tom Henry
July 08, 2011 22:35

Please join the Stoel Rives Oil and Gas, Pipelines & Mining Law Team at the 57th Annual Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute in Santa Fe, NM on July 21-23, 2011. We are pleased to be a sponsor of the Thursday evening Reception and we look forward to reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting...

CEQA, Mining and Vested Rights. Looking Back on the California Supreme Court's Decision in Communities for a Better Environment v. South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Tom Henry
March 18, 2011 01:25

One year ago the California Supreme Court issued its decision in Communities for a Better Environment v. South Coast Air Quality Management District (2010) 48 Cal. 4th 310.   Since our blog wasn’t up at the time I thought it would be a good idea to look back on that decision and how...

Now Is The Time For Increased Due Diligence Scrutiny - Focus on Permits

Ramona Monroe
January 12, 2011 17:10

As the economy continues to struggle, we see more consolidation in the aggregate industry.  Deals that seems like a bargain, may include significant problems and liabilities.  It is more important than ever to know what you are getting when acquiring existing operations.  An...