by William (Bill) Campbell, Conner
Sheep Creek Manifesto.
“USCM response….” This is more of the same, so passing by the fluff and getting down to what matters, let’s go straight to the paragraphs beginning with paragraph 3. Paragraph 3 is titled: “Environmental and Health Risk Claims”
Within the paragraph is the statement “USCM is fully committed to complying with all federal and state regulatory requirements….”
It isn’t stated they will do what is right, adequate or imply anything other than to comply with rules and regulations that have proven inadequate in the past. Witness the Berkeley Pit and Libby.
What is apparent is that the intention is to use the subject regulations as a wall behind which they can avoid responsibility.
Paragraph 4. “Independent Testing and Scientific Rigor”
“… it is important to recognize that any substantive fieldwork… will only occur after permitting and environmental review.”
Substantive is the key word, which by any one of the several definitions, boils down to meaningful. So what’s being said is that any meaningful testing will be AFTER THE FACT.
That’s a bit late and highly unlikely to avoid the pending disaster.
Paragraph 5. “Commitment to Regulatory Standards and Public Input.” That the expectation would be present that anyone has confidence in the aforementioned regulations and then add reference to public input is laughable. The Regulations offer you escape and avoidance while your response to public input is to offer milk and platitudes in place of fact and proof of intent.
Paragraph 6. “Economic and National Security Importance.” Now that’s really a shot below the water line as it implies that to disagree is to have no concerns in respect to the title subjects.
The probable consequences of any mining in the proposed area is well discussed. What is relevant here is the statement that “The Sheep Creek Project represents a unique opportunity…”
Most certainly this single statement carries within it a complex message addressing the destruction involved (Social/Environmental) in an activity funded by tax dollars that would substantially reduce the value of the entire area. The lives of thousands of people would be unalterably diminished. Meanwhile, the proponents of this “operation” would realize profits beyond the wildest imagination through government funding gained simply by “following the rules.”
Paragraph 7. “A Call for Constructive Engagement.” The final two paragraphs are as illustrative of hypocrisy as could be imagined under any circumstance.
The structure of your business and the conduct of your affairs speak loudly of manipulation, misinformation, willful deceit and the intent to proceed–NO MATTER THE COST. The effort is to access the Federal Treasury, obtain the greatest amount of money possible at virtually little to no risk. This without consideration of what you have done to achieve your gain.
USCM is like the fellow with the stovepipe hat, in a covered wagon, drawn by a mule. He was selling snake oil for a quarter.
USCM is taking advantage of the process of change to sell snake oil for millions. All the while being totally absent of any concern for the proceeding or the results–only the money.
Gary says
Their Chairmans statement during an interview with S&P Global tells us all we need to know about this company and their true intentions. During an interview the Chairman if USMC Harvey Kaye stated “Our first priority is shareholder value creation. Second is what’s best for national defense.” Shouldn’t their first priority be providing for national defense? No, their first priority is providing profit for their FOREIGN shareholders. The current administration keeps making statements about the importance of securing domestic supply chains. So how is letting a group of wealthy foreign investors control this critical supply through a web of shell companies and hidden investments accomplishing this? And before one of the companies PR people chime in as they have in the past with statements about how they are a “US” company because they formed their corporation in the US. Tell me this, can you prove without a shadow of doubt that every dime of investment capital your company received came from a US citizen? Or how about answering why the parent company you were founded under US Critical Metals corp. chose to use such a misleading name for their company despite the fact that they are actually a Canadian company? Oh, but they have “divested” from you right? Funny how that only happened after your companies attempted deception was uncovered and called out, and then you hired a fake “Montanan” spokesman to try to convince us you are one of us. Sorry we are not buying your sudden attempts at honesty and transparency because we know for a fact the only reason you are doing this now is because you got caught and your priorities are and always will be profit at any cost. We can smell your BS from a mile away because we have seen this same story play out too many times by mining companies who come making big promises only to rape the land and leave the taxpayer to clean up the mess. The private individuals that own this company need to be held legally and financially responsible for every dime of clean up that will inevitably be required when their new “environmentally friendly” extraction method fails. It is way past time that we hold these people directly accountable and stop letting them hide behind their corporate veil while we the taxpayer foot the bill.