Arizona closes Department of Mines and Mineral Resources!
January 20, 2011
In a move that could only be described as asinine, the Arizona Governor's office has ordered the closure of the Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources.We certainly understand the need for state governments to trim waste in these difficult times, but why the state would close one of the only agencies that helps generate income and create jobs is beyond imagination.
I have the utmost respect for the men and women who work there, and I've had the privilege of working with several of them on many occasions. They had been doing more work with less staff for quite some time. —Editor
Here is the notice of closure that was posted to their website:
Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources Closure Notice
On January 14 we were informed by the Governor’s office that the Department would be permanently closed, and the staff RIFed (Reduction in Force), on January 21.
At this time we do not know what will happen to the Department’s vast collection of mine records, files, and references. If we are given additional information in the next few days we will post it on this site.
We do not know how long the Department’s website, and all the information on it, will remain available. It is suggested that if you use data from the site that you archive it at this time. Click here to vist the links previously found on our home page
Having four work days to put 70 years of collections to bed, terminate all Department functions, as well as making personal arrangements—retirement or seeking other employment and removing our personal material—seems like unnecessary haste, but it is what we have been given. The staff would like to use some of that time to add a personal note.
To all of our stakeholders and friends:
Our years at the Department have been both rewarding and challenging. It has been a rollercoaster ride, complete with thrills and spills; but it has never been boring. What we shall miss most, though, are the people we have come to know and admire. Our thanks to each of you for your help, your support and your friendship over the past years. We have appreciated it more than we can say.
Until we will meet again.... sincere best wishes.
Diane Bain
Jenny Hernandez
Madan Singh
Nyal Niemuth
Pam Wilkinson
Sandra Regalado
