Frank Kottlowski  (NMMA Hall of Fame—2006)

On April 18, 2001, the New Mexico mining industry lost a dedicated support when Frank Kottlowski passed away at the age of 80. Frank was born on April 11, 1921 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is survived by his wife Florence, 3 daughters and their spouses, 5 grandchildren and their spouses and 4 great grandchildren.

Frank was a business major at Butler University when World War II interrupted his plans. Like so many young men of that day, Frank left college, enlisted and from 1942-1945 he was an aerial navigator and photographic interpreter for the 8th Air Force, receiving 5 service medals. His curiosity in geology was sparked by the many aerial photographs he interpreted. He returned to Indiana University and with one semester left to complete his certified public accountant degree, Frank changed his major to geology after taking a geology course.

Frank received his B.A. in Geology in 1947, MA. in structural geology in 1949 and Ph.D in economic geology in 1951, all from Indiana. Eugene Callaghan, one of Frank’s influential professors, became Director of the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources (now know as the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources) in 1949 and in 1951, offered the position of economic geologist to Frank. As we all know, Frank accepted the position, to the benefit of the mining industry in New Mexico. Over the next few decades, Frank was a facility associate and then adjunct professor at New Mexico Tech, associate director and acting director of the Bureau before becoming director in 1974 and later State Geologist, both of which he held until his retirement in 1991.

Frank was instrumental in mentoring and supporting countless geologists, mining engineers and other scientists during his distinguished career. His early training in accounting served well as he found money to support many of us as students and temporary staff at the Bureau until they found other employment in the industry. His many significant contributions in defining the stratigraphy and mineral resources of New Mexico have passed the test of time. Even today as exploration geologists and prospectors return to New Mexico to look for valuable commodities, Frank’s publications (more than 200) are still sought after, used and cited. From limestone deposits (used in cement and concrete) in the state to his significant contributions on identifying and delineating coal resources in New Mexico, Frank left a legacy of mineral resource data.

As director of the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, Frank’s kind, encouraging and generous character really shined through as well as his support of the state’s mining industry. How he was able to control a bunch of headstrong geologists, engineers, and other scientists as Director was a marvel to most everyone, but he did and the result was spectacular. Some of the early work on microbes and their importance in mineral deposits and recovery of metals by Coralie and James Brierley was supported by Frank through the Bureau. Early research of in situ leaching, electrowinning, cyanide leaching, and other metallurgical methods of ore recovery were funded by metallurgists at the Bureau during the 1970’s. Many of these researchers have gone on to become successful businessmen, professors, or industry consultants. The Bureau became recognized as a model for a successful, non-regulatory state geological survey for many states in the country.

Many of the successful programs at the Bureau today that the mining industry depends on found their roots during Frank’s tenure as Director. Frank realized the significance of geologic mapping as important to understanding the geology and mineral resources of the state and supported geologic mapping, not only by students but also by Bureau staff. Frank seemed to always find a few dollars to support geologic mapping. Today, the Bureau’s mapping program (State Map) is funded in part by Congress and has completed 120 quadrangle maps as well as numerous additional maps at varying stages. The Petroleum core and cuttings library and geophysical well logs were greatly expanded during Frank’s tenure and these data collections form the basis for delineating the state’s petroleum, coal and uranium resources. The library also includes numerous cores and cuttings from metallic and nonmetallic mineral deposits. Frank realized the importance of old mining records and encouraged several of his staff to archive these valuable records – Bob Eveleth, metallic minerals; Gretchen Hoffman, coal; George Austin and Jim Baker, industrial minerals and Virginia McLemore, uranium data. Today many geologists use these records to aid in looking for new mineral deposits in the state. But these records have also proven important in establishing premining and early mining conditions for environmental reports and greatly improve our understanding of the environmental affects of mineralized areas, both mined and unmined. The Bureau’s mineral museum grew through the efforts of Robert North, Bob Eveleth, and later Virgil Lueth under Frank’s tenure and it is now recognized as one of the better state mineral museums in the country.

Frank served on numerous professional society and governmental committees, including the Board of Directors for the New Mexico Mining Association. Frank did not just serve on these committees, he was a worker and served as president or secretary in some cases, and always shared his thoughts and advice throughout his terms. He was on the New Mexico Mine Safety Advisory Board, the Mine Advisory Board for the State Land Commissioner, the New Mexico Coal Mining Commission, San Juan River Regional Coal Team and others. You may not see Frank’s name on the various rules and decisions, but he was behind the scenes helping to shape our industry for the better.

The New Mexico mining industry greatly benefited from Frank’s generosity of time and knowledge, professional integrity, fairness and geologic knowledge and ability to integrate mineral resources with the real world. He was a true gentleman. We can see his direct influence on the mining industry of New Mexico in his many publications and his direct influence in the number of students and professionals he mentored, advised and supervised throughout the years.

Frank was inducted into the New Mexico Mining Hall of Fame on September 14, 2006.

H. J. “Doc” Weiler (NMMA Hall of Fame—2004)

The mining industry in New Mexico lost one of our long time and most respected members with the passing of H. J. “Doc” Weiler. Doc was one of the most popular and renowned lobbyist to ever walk the halls of the State Capitol.

Doc was born and raised in Burlington, Wisconsin, earned a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Mary’s College in Minnesota and a Law Degree from Marquette University. During WWII, Doc served as a navy pilot and following the war returned to Burlington, where he practiced law in Wisconsin from 1948-1960.

Doc and his lovely wife, Lena, moved to Albuquerque in 1960. Doc ran as a write-in candidate for Justice of Peace and won. In 1971 Doc became Executive Director of the New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry and served until 1986. After leaving ACI, he served as lobbyist for Phelps Dodge Mining Company and others until death. Doc is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Lena, daughters Ann Rhoades and husband Russell of Albuquerque, Caroline Harrington and husband Gary of Las Cruces, Cindy Stehle and husband Bill of Denver, Colorado, Elaine Geoghegan and husband Joe of Scottsdale, Arizona, son Greg Weiler and wife Mona of Rowlette, Texas and daughter-in-law Dane Weiler of Albuquerque. Doc was preceded in death by two sons, Jim and Jeff Weiler.

H, J. “Doc” Weiler was inducted into the NMMA Hall of Fame on February 3, 2004.

Robert Eveleth (NMMA Hall of Fame—2019)

Robert Eveleth was born in 1943 in Brighton, Massachusetts. Bob is a Miner, a 49er, an engineer, a bartender, and a historian; and for more than 45 years he has researched and documented New Mexico history related to mining, the city of Socorro, and New Mexico Tech.

He arrived at Socorro and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology along with 10 other entering students in September 1963, in a local passenger train known as the “Doodlebug” by Socorroans who had experienced its irregular diesel journey over the rails of Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe. He paid for his education as a bartender at The Capitol Bar and as a miner at Leadville, Colorado. Bob also worked in the Bureau’s metallurgy lab as a student, where he learned the laboratory methods for identifying specimens that are so important to mining. He performed flotation tests using frothing and suppressing agents. He eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering in 1969 from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

After graduation, Bob married his wife, Susan, and worked at a small lead/silver/gold mining company in Silverton, Colorado.

In late 1971, Bob became chief mining engineer for U.S. Smelting and Refining in Silver City, New Mexico. Early 1977, Bob worked for the U.S. Geological Survey in Albuquerque. Then in November 1977, Bob was hired by the Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (known then as the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources), where he worked for more than 35 years and now is the Emeritus Senior Mining Engineer, specializing in mining technology, mining law, and mining history.

Bob checked and located properties, mining claims, geo-mapping, and laboratory samples throughout his career. He discovered that, especially prior to WW I, newspapers were a prime source of mining information and began the New Mexico Mining Archives, which includes copies of many of these newspaper articles and numerous other mining reports. Bob has written numerous books and journal articles about the history and principals of New Mexico mining and geology. Some of Bob’s important contributions included providing information to the annual mining industry of New Mexico for the U.S. Bureau of Mines annual Mineral Yearbooks from about 1978 to 1995. He is thanked and acknowledged for his contribution in many more books, papers, and articles.

For many, he is the ‘memory’ of New Mexico’s mining industry and the “go to guy” for information on obscure mining localities. He has been instrumental in developing the New Mexico Mineral Museum for many years along with the Bureau’s museum curators. His emphasis has been archiving mineral specimens and mining ephemera to preserve our rich mining history. One still can find Bob, even though retired, around the Bureau, continuing to update the Bureau’s mining archives or in the Mineral Museum, helping someone identify a specimen. 

Major contribution to New Mexico’s mining industry: history, importance of mineralogy to mining industry, and curator of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources Mining Archives.

The New Mexico Mining Association was proud to induct Bob into the NM Mining Hall of Fame on September 5, 2019.

Bill Chenoweth (NMMA Hall of Fame—2019)

Bill Chenoweth received his BA in geology from Wichita State University in 1951. While at WSU he attended a 1950 summer field camp in the Zuni Mountains sponsored by the New Mexico School of Mines (now New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology). After seeing New Mexico’s geology he decided to enroll in graduate school at the University of New Mexico, where he received a MS in geology in 1953. His thesis was a study of the Morrison Formation in the southeastern part of the San Juan Basin, Valencia County, New Mexico, and was funded by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).

After graduation, he was offered employment by the AEC to work on uranium exploration drilling projects on the Navajo Indian Reservation in northeastern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico. For the next 11 years he studied uranium ore deposits in northeastern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico.

In 1954, he met Miriam (Polly) Pawlicki, the head nurse at the Indian Service Hospital in Shiprock, New Mexico. They were married on January 6, 1955 at Christ the King Mission in Shiprock. Their children Mary and Martin were born in Farmington, Peter in Flagstaff and Paul in Grants.

In 1964 he was transferred from Grants, New Mexico to the AEC’s main office in Grand Junction, Colorado and was assigned to study uranium ore deposits in South Dakota and Wyoming, but continued to work on uranium in New Mexico. Bill was appointed Chief of the Geologic Branch in Grand Junction office in 1970 and was responsible for the activities of the AEC geologists in the 14 western states. During this time he examined all the major uranium mining area in the U.S.

In 1983, his job was moved to Washington, D.C. by the Department of Energy. Rather than relocate, Bill began consulting and became a research associate at the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. He was also the Chairman of the Nuclear Minerals Committee of the Energy Minerals Division of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists from 1983-1998.

He spent his later years as a consultant to the Justice Department on the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. His incredible memory for details and his meticulous record keeping were an invaluable resource to families of miners seeking compensation for radiation-related illnesses. If anyone needed to know anything about uranium in western U.S., they asked Bill!

Bill provided many unpublished mining records to the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources mining archives and assisted in compiling the uranium mines databases now used by state and federal agencies. He was still serving as the secretary/treasurer of the Grand Junction Geological Society at the time of his passing.

He is the author and coauthor of over 80 reports on uranium mining history, geology and resources in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. His most recent report (coauthored by Virginia T. McLemore) was Uranium Resources, volume C of Energy and Mineral deposits in New Mexico, published as New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources Memoir 50 and New Mexico Geological Society Special Publication 13 (which won the 2018 Charles J. Mankin Memorial Award of the Association of American State Geologists, AASG).

Bill has been a member of the New Mexico Geological Society since 1952. The DOE installed a temporary historical photo exhibit in Grand Junction through October 10 to mark the 75-year anniversary of that area’s contribution to the Manhattan Project and the Cold War. The display includes a special tribute to Bill for his research into the DOE’s history in Grand Junction.

Bill, age 89, passed away in Grand Junction, Colorado, on Monday July 23, 2018.

The New Mexico Mining Association was proud to induct Bill into the NM Mining Hall of Fame on September 5, 2019.

Henry McCabe, Sr. (NMMA Hall of Fame—2019)

Henry McCabe, Sr., aka “Hank” is a retired coal miner residing in Camp Verde, Arizona. Hank also keeps his residence in Window Rock, Arizona where he is originally from, being born and raised there. Hank’s mining career spanned 39.5 years at the Chevron Mining Inc McKinley Mine in NW New Mexico. The surface mine was located near Window Rock and 24 miles NW of Gallup, NM. Over the life of McKinley Mine, over 1.75M tons of sub-bituminous coal was produced and sold to Arizona utilities. The mine employed 485 people in its heyday. In 2012 the final lay off took place of the production workforce and the mine moved in to final reclamation phase which ended in 2015. It currently is in the 10-year ERP phase of the OSM mining permit. Hank retired on January 02 0f 2015.

In February 2016 Hank began a consulting job for Energy Fuels Resources of Lakewood, CO. EFR is a uranium mining company with operations in Arizona, Utah, Texas and New Mexico. Hanks role is coordinating with the Navajo Nation for EFR to be involved with the Abandoned Uranium Mine waste cleanup on the reservation. EFR owns and operates the sole uranium processing mill in the USA in southern Utah. During the cold war era uranium mines were operational on the reservation leaving some 543 of these sites today that need mitigating and clean up. Federal EPA and Navajo EPA are undertaking this project using the TRONOX settlement agreements to identify, assess, categorize and prioritize these sites for cleanup.

During Hanks tenure at the McKinley Mine he held numerous jobs, primarily in the Production Department having supervised all phases of the coal production process. He had key roles in the Marketing, Customer Relations and Inter-Governmental relations activities as well. Hank was hired on August 23, 1976 as a Reclamation Technician. On that day an OJT process began as Hank knew very little about coal mining or surface coal mine reclamation. As time went on Hank held jobs of increasing responsibility during his tenure, culminating in the last 6 years of his career as the General Mine Manager. In addition, Hank was on the NMMA Board of Directors for 6 years of which he served 2 years as Vice President and 2 years as President.

Hank has been married to Barbara of San Carlos, AZ for 22 years. In retirement Hank enjoys spending time trying to improve his golf handicap and participating in cultural/traditional activities. Supporting his grand-son’s activities at school and sports is perhaps his most favorite pass time. He was an avid rodeo cowboy in the past, but that activity has been crossed off of the retirement fun list. He still thinks he’s tough enough to get back in the saddle, but Barbara says otherwise.

The New Mexico Mining Association was proud to induct Hank into the NM Mining Hall of Fame September 5, 2019.

Antonio P. “Tony” Trujillo (NMMA Hall of Fame—2016)

Tony was born and raised in the mining town of Silver City, New Mexico. His Dad and his brothers worked for the mine. After he married Susie, Tony began his professional career as a Police Officer. As his family began to grow, Tony realized being in Law Enforcement might not provide him enough financing to take care of his family.

So Tony went to work for Phelps Dodge Mining Company and started in the Security Force at the Mine. Phelps Dodge was later bought out by Freeport-McMoRan. Tony went from Security, to Head of Security & Fire, to HR Director, and to Director of Government Affairs.

Starting the Government Affairs part of his career in the late 1980’s with basically no knowledge of how to lobby, Tony went on to become one of the top lobbyist in New Mexico. Governor Garrey Carruthers once referred to Tony as the 113th Legislator in New Mexico.

Tony was on the Board and served in a leadership position in every major business association in the State. Through these positions Tony became the face of Freeport- McMoRan and the face of the Mining Industry in New Mexico.

Tony served on the Board of the New Mexico Mining Association for many years and two different terms as President. Tony retired after 41 years in the Mining Industry.

The New Mexico Mining Association is proud to induct Antonio P. Trujillo into the New Mexico Mining Hall of Fame September 7, 2016.

Intrepid Potash (NMMA Hall of Fame—2013)

Coming Soon

Harlan “Buddy” Webb (NMMA Hall of Fame—2012)

For 36 years, Harlan “Buddy” Webb worked in New Mexico’s mining industry. He contributed and shared his knowledge, skills and dedication to further the field of mine rescue in our NM mining operations.

Mr. Webb led and trained WIPP’s mine rescue team for more than two decades. In 1965 he started working with Kerr-McGee Potash Corporation as a junior engineer. He became involved in mine rescue training in 1978, the year the New Mexico Mine Rescue Association was established. He became the organization’s first secretary and one of the founding members.

He has been a member of the Mine Safety, Technology and Training Commission created and funded by the National Mining Association; was President of the Southwestern Regional Mine Rescue Association; President of the of the United States Mine Rescue Association and a member of the MSHA National Advisory Board for underground rescue procedures.

Harlan “Buddy” Webb joined WIPP and WIPP’s mine rescue team in 1985. He quickly became the trainer of two very successful mine rescue teams. Because of his lifelong dedication to safety he received the prestigious honor of induction into the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s Mine Rescue Hall of Fame in 2000.

Mr. Webb demonstrated outstanding lifetime achievements and dedication to the benefit of the New Mexico mining industry. He has contributed and shared his knowledge, skills to further the field of mine rescue in our NM mining operations, thus making the mine rescue community stronger and better able to meet a potential mine emergency. He is greatly respected by his peers in the mine rescue field and has done much to help NM achieve a high level of professionalism related to this extremely important element of our mining industry. After 46 years of dedication, Mr. Webb retired.

The miners of New Mexico owe an immense amount of gratitude to the efforts of Harlan “Buddy” Webb.

The New Mexico Mining Association was proud to induct Harlan “Buddy” Webb into the New Mexico Mining Hall of Fame on September 6, 2012.

Joe Baca (NMMA Hall of Fame—2012)

Joe Baca began his mining career in 1975, after honorably serving our country in Vietnam as a marine. Mr. Baca’s career started at Kaiser Steel’s York Canyon Coal Mine near Raton, New Mexico in 1975, as an electrician and maintenance supervisor/engineer. He was responsible for maintenance of the remote ventilation monitoring system that was being implemented at York Canyon. His mine rescue career began in 1991, when he joined the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) team. There he served as a benchman and fresh air base attendant. Mr. Baca has participated in 65 bench competitions, 46 of which he has won or placed second. In National Benchman Competition, Joe won twice and garnered three second place finishes. He responded to numerous mine emergencies with the WIPP Team and helped conduct three Mexico National Mine Rescue events. He was inducted into the Metal/Non-Metal Mine rescue Hall of Fame during the 2010 national competition in Reno, Nevada.

Mr. Baca has demonstrated outstanding lifetime achievements and dedication to the benefit of the New Mexico mining industry, He has contributed and shared his knowledge, skills to further the field of mine rescue in our New Mexico mining operations, thus making the mine rescue community stronger and better able to meet a potential mine emergency. He is greatly respected by his peers in the mine rescue field and has done much to help New Mexico achieve a high level of professionalism related to this extremely important element of our mining industry.

The Miners of New Mexico owe an immense amount of gratitude to the efforts of Mr. Joe Baca.

The NMMA was proud to induct Joe Baca into the New Mexico Mining Hall of Fame on September 6, 2012.

Bill Stevens (NMMA Hall of Fame—2012)

Bill Stevens was born on May 8, 1928 in Cuba, Missouri and graduated from Sullivan Missouri High School in 1945. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mining Engineering from the Missouri School of Mines in 1950. From1950 through 1952 Bill served in the United States Army.

Bill joined Kerr-McGee in 1953 as a Mine Engineer at the company’s uranium mining operations at Shiprock, New Mexico. He worked in both engineering and mine shift boss positions until 1957 when he was named mine geologist responsible for both production and exploration programs.

In 1961, Bill transferred to Kerr-McGee’s Ambrosia Lake Operations near Grants, New Mexico, as Mine Superintendent. He was promoted to Division Superintendent of Mines in 1962, and became Manager of Mines in 1965. Bill was named General Manager of New Mexico Operations in 1968. He was promoted to President of Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corporation, headquartered in Oklahoma City, in August 1979.

A member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, Bill was also a past President of the New Mexico Mining Association, as well as, past President of the New Mexico Uranium Operators Association. Additionally, Bill served as Board Member of the Cibola General Hospital and First National Bank in Grants. He also was a member of the Chamber of Commerce in both Grants and Oklahoma City. Bill was very involved in creating and operating the New Mexico Mining Museum.

He very much enjoyed sailing, diving and snowmobiling. Bill and his wife Judith had three children and six grandchildren.

Bill passed away on December 22, 2010, leaving new Mexico the great uranium industry. The underground mine at the Mining Museum was named “Billy Stevens Mine Section 26”.

The NMMA proudly inducted Bill Stevens into the New Mexico Mining Hall of Fame on February 1, 2012.

McKinley Mine (NMMA Hall of Fame—2011)

Located 24 miles northwest of Gallup, Chevron Mining’s McKinley Mine opened in 1962 as the first large-scale surface coal mine in New Mexico. McKinley Mine, known for its high quality coal, produced more than 175 million tons of coal in almost fifty years.

Originally opened by P&M Coal Company, McKinley Mine was known as “the jewel in the crown of P&M” employing as many as 600 people- mostly from the Navajo Nation. From the important removal of the Navajo Inn in the 1960’s to a production record of six million tons of coal in 1984 to the 2008 excellence in reclamation award from the New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division, McKinley Mine has been an industry leader. McKinley ceased coal production in 2009 having mined all its economically recoverable reserves, and is now focused on returning the land to the stakeholders in the condition they deserve for future productive use.

In 2011, McKinley Mine was inducted into the New Mexico Mining Hall of Fame

John L. “Jack” Rust (NMMA Hall of Fame—2010)

John L. “Jack” Rust was inducted into the New Mexico Mining Association’s Hall of Fame during their 71st Annual Convention and Trade Show in Santa Fe, on September 16, 2010.

Born in Bloomington, Illinois, Jack joined the Army in 1943 and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1949. On May 1, 1960, Jack was appointed by Caterpillar to be the dealership in northern New Mexico and named the business Rust Tractor Company. In June 1960 Jack established offices in Farmington, NM to support coal mining and oil and gas exploration in the northwest. During this period, Jack established scholarship programs at New Mexico colleges and universities and in 1962 he was appointed to the board of regents for the New Mexico Military Institute where he served for 12 years. In 1965 Rust Tractor purchased Haag Tractor Company in El Paso, Texas which serviced southern New Mexico and three counties in far west Texas. Also in 1965, Rust tractor opened a new store in Hobbs, New Mexico to support the oil and gas industries and the potash industry. Jack served as United Way Board Chairman and served as a Board Member for Presbyterian Healthcare Services for 30 years including 13 as chairman. Additionally, Jack served many years on the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Mining Association. In 2000, after receiving numerous Gold Dealership Awards by Caterpillar, Rust Tractor celebrated their 40 year anniversary. In September 2002, after 42 years of supporting the oil and gas, copper, coal, potash, molybdenum, uranium and sand and gravel industries, Rust tractor was sold to Wagner Equipment Company.

The New Mexico Mining Association was very honored and proud to induct Jack Rust into the New Mexico Mining Hall of Fame.

James Mason (NMMA Hall of Fame—2008)

James Mason grew up on the Navajo Nation in an area known as Nenahnezad, southwest of Farmington. The family had no electricity or running water in their Hogan at the time.

At the age of 16 he was sponsored by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to attend High School in Hollywood California, and later worked in a furniture factory in that State. Returning to his home region briefly in 1959, he later sought a new life in Pennsylvania as a welder.

Deciding that the call of home was too strong the small family returned to the land of their ancestors in 1962.

At this time the Navajo mine was planning to start-up to support the new Four Corners Power Plant under construction.

In search of work in the first days upon returning, he sighted in the distance all kinds of equipment being staged for the commencement of mine construction in the area now known as Pinto. Literally walking from his home onto the mine site, he simply walked up to a contract construction supervisor and asked if he could “push a broom” or do anything for work. From that day he became part of the crew to construct the very first dragline at Navajo mine, and shortly after was employed by the mine owner itself – Utah Mining and Construction – which over time evolved as a subsidiary of the BHP Billiton group.

Mr. Mason rose steadily through the ranks, eventually being selected and trained as the best of the best to work on the most skilled, and highest paid hourly job, the dragline operator. He carried this job with distinction for a quarter of a century.

He was also a respected leader of his local community. Mr. Mason is the son of a former Navajo Nation Council Delegate, and served as President of the Upper Fruitland Chapter House for 8 years. He was instrumental in using his knowledge and influence within the Company to help direct community programs such as roads, infrastructure, and livestock support activities to where it was needed most in the community.

In this position for the Chapter he spent his days off from the mine lobbying for funds from Window Rock, or attending to the business of his local community.

Mr. Mason retired from the industry in December 2007, and still misses swinging the massive bucket on the dragline that will be forever in his blood.

Mr. James Mason was inducted into the NMMA Hall of Fame on September 4, 2008.

Dave Shoemaker (NMMA Hall of Fame—2007)

Born in Manila, Philippines, Dave entered the U.S. Army in 1961. Upon his discharge, Dave attended the University of Arizona and earned his B.S. Mining Engineer Degree in 1965. During his college years he worked in the Homestead Mine, one of the largest and deepest gold mines in North America, where his father was mine manager.

After graduation, Mr. Shoemaker began to build his mining engineering career, holding progressively responsible positions with Inspiration Consolidated Copper Company, Phelps Dodge Corporation, Utica Mines, Ltd. and Hecla Mining Company. In 1973, he started work at the molybdenum mine in Questa, N.M.

For the next twenty years, Dave played a pivotal role in some of the most crucial stages of the Moly Mine’s life. From 1974 through 1978 he was the chief engineer in charge of the mine’s open pit development and later served as supervisor of the open pit mine’s operation and maintenance. Beginning in 1978 he managed the development of the new underground block-caving mine and by 1984 brought it into production on time and under budget. In 1992, a worldwide drop in commodity prices led to the decision to permanently close and flood the mine, and Dave was the driving force in reopening the mine in 1996.

Dave also served the New Mexico mining industry as a long standing board member of the NMMA and as its president in 1990 and again in 1999. He was a primary player in the negotiations of the 1993 New Mexico Mining Act and is a member of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers.

Dave Shoemaker served as Vice President and General Manager of the Molybdenum Group from 1996 until his retirement in 2001.

The NMMA proudly inducted Dave R. Shoemaker into the NM Mining Hall of Fame on September 25, 2007.

NM Institute of Mining & Technology (NMMA Hall of Fame—2006)

New Mexico Tech has been in existence since 1893, four years after the Territorial Legislature, wanting to boost New Mexico’s economy, decided to found a School of Mines to train young mining engineers. During this period, Socorro was a mining boom town and the site of the Billings Smelter, which processed silver and lead ores mined at the nearby Magdalena District. Socorro was chosen for the location of the New Mexico Schools of Mines, allowing mining engineers to train near the eventual site of their work.

What began as a very small college graduating only a handful of mining and metallurgical engineers began to transform after the turn of the century. In 1927, the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources (since renamed the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources) was added as a division to the New Mexico School of Mines to function as the state geologic survey. During the 1930’s petroleum engineering was added to the curriculum and quickly acquired more students than mining engineering. Also during this time the school had its first female graduate, who brought the added advantage of being a non-draftable employee.

After World War II, the college developed into a strong scientific research facility for the fields of defense weaponry, atmospheric physics, astrophysics, geophysics, and hydrology. In 1951 the school’s name was changed to “New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology” to reflect this diversity.

Today, while New Mexico Tech offers a broad range of graduate and undergraduate degrees in science and engineering, its contribution to the mining industry in New Mexico and the world continues to be as strong as ever. Many of the mining operations within New Mexico currently employ graduates of New Mexico Tech. Notable alumni who have made significant contributions to the industry include: Dr. George Griswold, member of the NMMA Hall of Fame; Dr. George Atwood III, retired Chairman and CEO of the Duval Corporation; David Rice, retired Vice President of the Potash Company of America; Dr. John Kelly, Assistant Secretary of the Interior under President Kennedy; Morris T. Worley, retired COO of Rayrock Yellowknife Resources, Inc.; and Jeffrey Clevenger, former Executive Vice President of Cyprus Amax Minerals.

As you can see the contributions of New Mexico Tech to the mining industry in the state of New Mexico as well as the world have been significant. To this day, New Mexico Tech continues to produce outstanding graduates for the industry while also contributing to research and development within the industry.

New Mexico Tech was inducted into the NMMA Hall of Fame on February 9, 2006.

Uranium Industry (NMMA Hall of Fame—2005)

The discovery of uranium in New Mexico is as much legend as it is fact. Quimbly Farris probably staked the first claim in 1945 for Vanadium. Colton Tietjen and Alfred Hutton had been transporting “rocks” to the ore buying stations in Utah, when on the 17th day of April, 1950, a Navajo rancher named Paddy Martinez took a yellow colored rock to Grants. The discovery was on Santa Fe Railroad’s Section 19 near Haystack. Thus began a 50-year adventure and economic boom to northwest New Mexico and the state as a whole.

At its peak, over 120 mines and 6 mills operated throughout the Grants Mineral Belt. Employment, which exceeded 7,700 jobs in the mid 1970’s drove the economic engine of numerous Northwest New Mexico communities with over 165 million in annual wages.

Mining’s boom to bust cycle eventually overcame New Mexico’s uranium industry and after an extended period of unprecedented low prices in the early 1980’s, the industry rapidly declined until New Mexico uranium production finally ceased in 1999. With the mine closures, a new industry was born – uranium mine and mill reclamation. The uranium companies implemented innovative mill reclamation projects that have repeatedly been used as a model for achieving successful uranium reclamation throughout the world.

The Grants Mineral Belt produced more uranium than any other uranium district in the free world. New Mexico continues to reap tremendous benefits from the uranium mining that occurred in the Grants Uranium Belt. The severance tax, which supports the State general fund and education of New Mexico’s children, was born of the industry.

Recently, the slumbering giant is beginning to stir. New Mexico and uranium will once again play a key role in providing energy independence for the United States of America. The heritage that the uranium miners of the Grants Mineral Belt so proudly built will provide a base for renewed interest.

The New Mexico Uranium Industry was inducted into the NMMA Fall of Fame on September 7, 2005.

Molycorp Mining (NMMA Hall of Fame—2005)

Since 1918, Molycorp’s Questa Molybdenum Mine has been a strong source of economic vitality in Northern New Mexico. Our sustained success can be attributed to the extraordinary effort of our employees. Producing hundreds of millions of tons of molybdenum since its inception, the Questa Mine continues to provide a valuable natural resource to the world market. Fully committed to operating in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, Molycorp’s commitment extends beyond the mine to our local communities where we strive to improve the quality of life where our employees live and work.

Molycorp was inducted into the NMMA Hall of Fame on September 7, 2005.

Jack L. Skinner (NMMA Hall of Fame—2005)

Jack L. Skinner was born July 29, 1941 in Carlsbad where he grew up, graduated from high school, married, raised a family, served his community and ran a successful business.

Jack’s dad, Elmer L. Skinner founded The Mine Supply Company in 1946 after working in the potash operations and seeing a need for a local company. Elmer also served the community as Carlsbad Mayor, State Representative and New Mexico Mining Association Board Member for 30 years. Jack had big shoes to fill and he set out to do just that!

Jack married Jane in 1960 and raised three children; John, Jill and Jake. Jack joined The Mine Supply Company in 1961 and became its President in 1982. Active in the Jr. Chamber of Commerce, Jack became the Jaycee President in 1966. In 1972, Jack was elected New Mexico Executive Vice President of the Jaycees. He was elected City Councilman of Carlsbad in 1972 and again in 1987. He was a New Mexico State Representative in 1977 thru 1984. During his time in the House of Representatives, Jack served as Chairman of the House Energy & Natural Resources Committee, Member of the Legislative Finance Committee, and Vice-Chairman of the House Appropriations & Finance Committee.

Jack has been a New Mexico Mining Association Board Member from 1982 thru the present (2005).

Jack Skinner was inducted into the New Mexico Mining Hall of Fame on February 1, 2005.

Phelps Dodge Mining Company (NMMA Hall of Fame—2004)

In 1909 – three years before the Territory of New Mexico was admitted to the Union – Phelps Dodge came to the mining camps near Silver City and purchased claims that would someday become the Tyrone copper mine. Ninety-five years later, Phelps Dodge remains an important fixture in the state’s southwest corner, providing jobs for more than 800 men and women of Grant County (as of May 2, 2004).

Although Phelps Dodge has grown to become the world’s second-largest copper producer, it wasn’t copper that first brought Phelps Dodge to New Mexico. Rather, it was coal needed to produce and ship copper. In 1905, the company purchased the coal assets of Dawson, near Raton in northern New Mexico, along with the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad that extended 460 mines to El Paso. In those days of steam shovel mining and rail transportation, this was an important source of fuel for the growing mines and smelters in Arizona and the soon-to-be-born Tyrone mine near Silver City.

Growth has never stopped. Phelps Dodge has continued to consolidate its
holdings in the state, purchasing the large Chino Mines Co. in 1986 and the Cobre Mining Co. in 1998. Both properties added to the company’s portfolio of copper producers.

And for generations, Phelps Dodge has earned the respect of communities as a provider of good jobs and benefits – jobs that are important to the towns and people who live away from the state’s Rio Grande corridor. During these decades, the company has been a vital contributor to the schools where it operates as well as a major benefactor to the programs and institutions of the Southwest.

Growing with the Nation

Phelps Dodge was founded in the year 1834, yet continues to evolve and grow with the nation. For example, the company has earned key awards in New Mexico in recognition of its environmental achievements, including:

1. The EPA Region 6 Environmental Excellence Award of 1995 in recognition of outstanding operations of the Chino Mines Co. smelter in Hurley;
2. the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources “Excellence in Reclamation Award” of 1996 for work completed on the historic Blackhawk tailing impoundments near the little community of Hanover;
3. and the “Excellence in Reclamation Award” of 2000 for reclamation work at the now closed Pinos Altos Mine, north of Silver City.

Building Relationships

Clearly, Phelps Dodge is an important part of the history of New Mexico. More importantly, it is a modern mining company, committed to the safety and well-being of its employees, protection of the environment and maintaining close relationships with communities where it operates. This will continue, since many more years of copper reserves remain at Phelps Dodge’s new properties, where the company continues to invest the capital and the manpower to ensure they remain competitive and viable.

Phelps Dodge Mining Company was inducted into the New Mexico Mining Hall of Fame on September 24, 2004.

IMC Potash (NMMA Hall of Fame—2004)

IMC has been active in New Mexico for over 64 years. The IMC Underground Potash Mine in Carlsbad, New Mexico began production in 1939 at 2100 tons per day and is still producing today at a rate of 25,000 tons per day. IMC mines Sylvite (KCL) and Langbeinite (2MgS04 K2S04)ores from the Salado Salt Formation of the Permian Basin of Southeast New Mexico. These are refined to produce fertilizer and animal feed products. The Langbeinite ore is mined only in Carlsbad and sold world wide as a specialty product.

In 1936 Union Potash and Chemical, working with International Agricultural Corporation, began sinking a shaft near Carlsbad. In 1940, IAC acquired a majority interest in Union Potash and the first carload of refined potash was shipped in October. In 1941, International Agricultural Corporation and Union Potash & Chemical Company merged and changed their name to International Minerals & Chemical Corporation (IMC). During World War II, the Carlsbad area supplied the majority of national consumption of potash with IMC’s plant also producing magnesium chloride. In 1943, IMC was presented with the Army-Navy “E” Award for its outstanding contribution to the war effort.

Production continued to grow over the years reaching today’s current production of approximately 8.0 million ore tons annually. IMC has a long history of mining in the Carlsbad area and will continue for many more years.

IMC Potash was inducted into the New Mexico Mining Hall of Fame on September 24, 2004.

George Griswold (NMMA Hall of Fame—2004)

George Griswold was born on December 9, 1928, in Ponca City, Oklahoma, to Edward H. and Naomi Jane Bullard Griswold. His father was a petroleum engineer and the family moved to New York and Texas, where he received his early education. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953, starting as platoon leader and moving up to the battalion staff.

Dr. Griswold attended the New Mexico School of Mines, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in mining engineering in 1955, with the school’s highest honor, the Brown Medal. He then went on to the University of Arizona, where he received his Master’s Degree in 1957. In 1967, he earned his Ph.D in geological engineering at the same institution, the first Ph.D the university granted in that field.

Dr. Griswold worked in a variety of mining camps during his early career: Tepehuanes, Mexico; Fairbanks, Alaska; Leadville, Colorado; Superior and San Manuel, Arizona, and Bishop, California. In 1957, he joined the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources as an associate mining engineer. After receiving his doctorate, he became a faculty member, serving as Mining Department Chairman until 1970 when he returned to industry. He first consulted for Minera Azteca in Mexico, and then joined Getty Oil Company in Los Angeles. The company soon transferred him to Canada as Vice President and Manager of Mineral Exploration for western Canada and Alaska. Getty terminated Canadian mineral exploration in 1974.

Dr. Griswold returned to New Mexico and joined Sandia National Laboratories. He pursued energy research in coal and oil shale. He was then assigned to work under Dr. Wendell Weart, participating in the site selection for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad. He left Sandia in 1979 to form his own consulting firm know as the Tecolote Corporation. He and his associates conducted studies for Sandia, DOE, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and numerous mining companies.

He completed his professional career by returning to New Mexico Tech in 1984. He served as Chairman of the Mining, Geological and Environmental Engineering Department until his retirement in 1988. He was both a Distinguished and Legion of Honor Member of the Society of Mining Engineers.

Dr. Griswold was inducted into the NMMA Hall of Fame on September 24, 2004.

His loving wife Carol Ann Griswold survives him. He has seven children: Cynthia, Pat, Jim and Robert from his first marriage and Pete, Matt and Kady, whom he ”inherited” from his second marriage. There are nine grandchildren.

Dr. George B. Griswold, aged 73, alumnus and professor emeritus at New Mexico Tech, passed away on March 26, 2002, in Las Cruces.

Dr. Griswold was inducted into the New Mexico Mining Hall of Fame on September 24, 2004.

Marvin Watts (NMMA Hall of Fame—2004)

Marvin Watts was born in Portales, New Mexico on April 6, 1932 where he was also raised. Marvin was married to his lovely wife Mary for 51 years and they had three sons, Marvin Lee Watts, Jr., Mark Watts and Wesley Watts.

Marvin attended Eastern New Mexico University where he earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree. Additionally, he did advance studies at Oklahoma State University and Kansas State University. Marvin began his working career after graduation with Dow Chemical, then the New Mexico Military Institute, Amax Potash and Eddy Potash. Marvin was also the President and CEO of New Mexico Salt and Minerals Corporation, a family owned business. He was also active in the management of the family ranches. At the time of his death on May 2, 2003, Marvin was employed as the Chairman of the Potash Association of New Mexico. Marvin had a long and distinguished career in public service serving as State Senator from District 34. Other major highlights are: He was on the Board of Directors of Mountain States Insurance Company, President of the Board of Carlsbad Mental Health and a member and former President of Carlsbad Department of Development.

His professional activities included Vice-President of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association; member of the Bureau of Land Management District Advisory Council; member of the Carlsbad Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors; terms as Secretary and Treasurer, Vice-President and President of the Carlsbad Department of Development; member of the Mine Safety Advisory Board; member of the Bureau of Land Management Resource Advisory Board, Chairman of the Eddy County Labor Relations Board; member of the Carlsbad Mayor’s Advisory Board. In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed him as the United States Representative on the Pecos River Compact Commission. Governor Bill Richardson reappointed him in 2003 to the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Water.

Marvin demonstrated outstanding lifetime achievement through his many accomplishments and diligence working for the mining industry. Marvin was not only a tireless advocate for the Potash Industry, but mining for all of New Mexico. Mining could not have had a better friend.

Marvin was inducted into the New Mexico Mining Hall of Fame on February 3, 2004.

Dr. Daniel H. Lopez Ph.D. (NMMA Hall of Fame—2016)

Dr. Dan, as he is fondly known, is one of twelve siblings raised on a farm and ranch in the small community of Puerto de Luna, New Mexico. As a young man, he recognized that education would pave the path to a lifetime of opportunity.

Dr. Dan received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1970 and his Masters of Arts degree in political science in 1972. Dr. Dan received his Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science from the University of New Mexico in 1982.

Dr. Dan worked for the United States Department of Labor; served as the Executive Director for the New Mexico State advisory council on vocational-technical education from 1973 to 1982; served as the Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Labor and the Department of Finance and Administration; and Vice-President of for Institutional Development at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

In July 1993 Dr. Daniel H. Lopez was named President of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Dr. Dan also served as the President of the New Mexico Council of University Presidents from 1993 until his retirement in 2016.

Dr. Dan served for many years on the New Mexico Mining Association Board of Directors and during his tenure as President of NM Tech he provided the Mining Industry with many highly trained graduates of Tech who served and still serve in the Mining Industry in New Mexico.

Upon his retirement in 2016, Dr. Dan became the longest serving University President in New Mexico History with 23 years of service. It is for this as well as his many years of service to the State of New Mexico and the Mining Industry that the New Mexico Mining Association is proud to induct him into the Mining Hall of Fame September 7, 2016.