Democrats of the Red Rocks will hold a discussion about mining in Northern Arizona at its breakfast Thursday, July 18, at 8 a.m. at Olde Sedona Restaurant, located at 1405 W. SR 89A. Mining in Arizona has received a growing amount of attention as controversial practices like fracking — technically hydraulic fracturing — and helium extraction have moved into the area.
Fracking is a deep well drilling process that extracts oil or natural gas via horizontal drilling that extends from the vertical bore and pumps fluid into the well at extremely high pressure powerful enough to fracture surrounding rock to create fissures and cracks through which the oil and gas are extracted. Helium is a rare element removed from trapped gas deposits. It forms as a byproduct
from the decay of heavier elements, such as uranium, and must go through an involved separation process before it can be refined and made commercially available.
DORR will discuss issues of land management, environmental concerns and public safety related to modern mining. Guest speakers will be Joe Costion, chairman of the Coconino Community College Construction Technology Department, and Bill Pierce, mining engineer and 2018 candidate for Arizona State Mine Inspector. Costion has been department chairman at Coconino County Community College for over 10 years and initiated its Sustainable Building Program and its Alternative Energy program. Pierce has been an advocate of workplace safety in mines since 1985. He is an engineer with over 40 years of experience and is certified by the Mine Safety Heath Administration and OSHA and has trained with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in workplace safety.
The speakers will appear as part of DORR’s critical issues breakfast series held on the third Thursday of the month. The organization presents different issues at each. All breakfasts are open to the public. There is a $15 fee to cover the cost of breakfast. DORR is an all-volunteer Democratic club for Sedona, the Village of Oak Creek, the Verde Valley and surrounding communities that welcomes all independent-minded citizens. The DORR office at 105 Roadrunner Drive in West Sedona is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information is available on how to register to vote and on candidates running for office.
Walk-ins are welcome. Call 212-1357 or visit democratsoftheredrocks.org for moreinformation.
