Pub. 8 2018 Issue 2

15 MINING FOCUS The convention also provided a wonderful opportunity to recognize member companies that received annual UMA Safety Awards for outstanding performance during the previous year, as well as those companies recognized by the Board of Oil, Gas and Mining with Environmental Excellence Awards. Always a highlight of the convention is the presentation of the Patrick E. Connor Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by UMA. As for the award’s namesake, In 1863, General Patrick Connor sent soldiers from Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City to explore for minerals in Utah. His men, many of whom were ex-miners, are credited with first discovering the mineral wealth of Utah. General Connor therefore became know as “The Father of Utah Mining.” This year we had the great honor to present the Patrick E. Connor Distinguished Service Award to Mike Brown. Mike retired from Graymont in late 2017, and has had a career full of distinguished service to the mining industry. Mike has represented the mining industry on the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration board in the past, and currently serves on the Board of Oil, Gas & Mining representing environmental interests. He also served several years on the UMA Board of Directors and Executive Committee, finishing his term as Chairman in August. Of course, great networking opportunities abound at the convention every year, including the welcoming and closing receptions, exhibit booths, and the annual UMA Golf Tournament, held this year at the beautiful Wasatch Mountain Golf Course. We want to thank all the attendees, speakers, exhibitors and sponsors for making the 103rd Annual UMA Convention a success. If you haven’t participated in a Utah Mining Association convention in a while, or maybe you have never experienced one, we invite you to join us in 2019 for our 104th Annual Convention. We are returning to Zermatt Resort and Wasatch Mountain Golf Course August 13-15, 2019. We hope to see you there! X Of course, great networking opportunities abound at the convention every year, including the welcoming and closing receptions, exhibit booths , and the annual UMA Golf Tournament, held this year at the beautiful Wasatch Mountain Golf Course.