Closing Mines

There has been a lot of talk lately about closing old mines. It is apparently a big safety issue and States throughout the west have initiated the process. Recently we bumped into a very nice technology that is terrific for closing mines in a safe and effective way. It would also allow for reopening the mine with minimal effort if whatever the mine was originally being used for becomes economically viable again.

We have an arrangement with a materials firm that has invented a structural polyurethane foam, that is non-toxic. It is an expandable foam that when set is the approximate consistency of a board. The material is relatively cheap. It can easily, quickly, and relatively cheaply fill the mine cavity to prevent any entry. Yet it allows for reopening with minimal effort, in the precise location of the original tunnels. This structural foam obviously has a myriad of uses beyond that of mine closures, but that does seem to be the flavor of the day.