PRESS RELEASE
CAPITOL OFFICE
State Capitol
201 West Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, MO 65101-6806
Tele: 573 751-2112
Fax: 573 526-6856
jc.kuessner@house.mo.gov
J. C. Kuessner
State Representative
152nd District
December 11, 2008
Lead Mining Still An Important Industry In Our Area
A couple of months ago I set up a mine tour and recycling tour with the Doe Run Company and invited members of the Legislature to attend. We assembled at the Brushy Creek Mine on Dec. 10 and within less than a minute ended up a thousand feet underground observing hard-rock mining with modern technology.
If you have never been down in the lower depths of a lead mine, no words can do it justice. Doe Run’s roots in our state go back more than a century. This project at Brushy Creek has been going on for more than 30 years with hundreds of area employees involved. I can think of no other operation to compare it to.
The recycling plant in Boss, MO, was impressive where the majority of their work is recycling used vehicle batteries. With the realization that this is the largest facility of its kind in the United States, and the benefits it provides by converting used lead into usable lead, helps clean up the environment and benefits the Missouri landscape and economy as well, this is a phenomenal project.
The Doe Run Company has been a boom for our area of the state, providing good-paying jobs with benefits plus providing incomes for businesses, counties, schools and area families.
The 152nd legislative district benefits the most tax wise from the Doe Run operation. Doe Run employs a total 475 men and women in the four counties that I represent – 138 in Iron County, 161 in Reynolds County, 31 in Shannon County and 145 in Washington County.
The tour presented an enlightening and educational look into the mine industry and its many benefits. All legislators who participated in the tour were better informed and supportive of this vital industry.
If I can be of service please call my office at 573-751-2112 or e-mail me at jc.kuessner@house.mo.gov