This week, host Brock Yordy explores ideas about how mines can be good neighbors with Mike Wilczynski of Pangea Environmental LLC. The Certified Professional Geologist, who has decades of experience in the field, helps us weigh the need for aggregate mining with complex zoning, safety and citizen-rights issues. 

“I’d like to see legislators talk to residents. All of this legislation is being proposed by the industry, with some involvement maybe from a legislator sponsoring it,” Wilczynski says. “But I don’t see them coming out and going to mines and talking to people who live next to them and experience what they have to go through every day.” 

He insists he’s ultimately pro-mining, but that there are better ways to approve mines, get the aggregates we need to build all sorts of infrastructure, but still work with nearby citizens to minimize impact. 

This episode covers: 

• What does “responsible” mining look like? 
• Air quality for jobsites 
• Occupational exposure for silica dust 
• Restoration and reclamation for mine sites 
• Balancing demand for mined aggregates with zoning concerns
• Protecting surface water and groundwater during mining operations

Thanks for joining us. Whether you’re at your desk or on the way to the jobsite listening in the truck, start your week with us.

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Thanks for joining us. Tune in each Monday morning for the latest video or podcast. Whether you’re at your desk or on the way to the jobsite listening in the truck, start your week with us. You can also find our show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Drilling expert Brock Yordy is a regular The Driller contributing writer. Send news tips and interview suggestions to questions@askbrock.com.