Benchmark Resources Presents at CalCIMA’s 2015 Education Conference.

November 17th, 2015.

Andrew Heinemann presented at the 2015 CalCIMA Annual Education Conference in Monterey, California. The presentation was entitled “Getting the Most Out of a Drilling Project.” The geologic interpretation and definition of a deposit is incomplete without some amount of drilling. Surface mapping, geologic literature research of regional structure, and lithology provide useful information. However, with the increasing costs of planning, permitting, and development, drilling programs are becoming more relevant than ever to the construction aggregates industry. The expense of drilling requires that its planning and execution deserve commensurate attention to gain the most out of the program for the dollars spent. This presentation reviewed the goals and expectations of drilling; types of drilling; drill hole location strategies; proper sampling; and proper logging, documentation, handling, and long-term storage of drill samples. Sample results, presentation or tabulation were also discussed.

Bruce Steubing presented with Tom Henry, Stoel Rives, at the 2015 CalCIMA Annual Education Conference in Monterey, California. The presentation was entitled “Integrating the AB 32 Cap and Trade Program into Your GHG Permitting Strategy.” As of January 1, 2015, fuel suppliers and importers are subject to the Assembly Bill (AB) 32 Cap and Trade program for greenhouse gas emissions. Under AB 32 fuel suppliers are now responsible for acquiring offsets for the greenhouse gas emissions their fuel will produce when used. This presentation reviewed the AB 32 program, how this program has been used in CEQA evaluations of nonmining projects, and what effect the program should have on the CEQA evaluation of proposed mining projects. The presentation also outlined how this approach can be used in different permitting contexts (e.g., greenfield sites, expansion sites or permit updates and modifications). The presentation also provided both the legal underpinnings and the practical steps operators and their consultants can take to integrate the AB 32 Cap and Trade program into their permitting strategy.