Newmont, Empire Mine State Historical Park

Located in Grass Valley, Calif., the Empire Mine was the oldest and most productive gold mine in the state. As with many of the mines in California's gold country, mining and milling operations at the Empire Mine left behind a mixture of arsenic, lead, cadmium, cyanide and mercury. California State Parks and Newmont USA Ltd. initiated a series of work plans to evaluate environmental conditions and cleanup activities related to the historic mining and milling activities.

Newmont retained Sigler Communications to provide strategic communications counsel related to environmental remediation and stakeholder engagement at the former Empire Mine property. The assignment required Sigler to operate at the intersection of mining-sector accountability, environmental remediation, regulatory oversight, community trust, and sustained media scrutiny.

Sigler provided strategic counsel and planning support as Newmont announced the joint work to the community, NGOs, community leaders, news media, and other interested stakeholders. Audiences included community members, NGOs, media, government officials, state parks staff and docents, regulators, and local stakeholders. We prepared and trained staff to conduct informational briefings with state park employees and docents. We conducted a press conference and media tour showcasing the environmental work planned at the facility. Sigler also worked with the project management team to prepare for and conduct one-on-one briefings with key NGOs and California legislators.

By taking a unified approach to public education and involvement, the project was able to proceed with community support and without the opposition that had characterized earlier attempts at environmental remediation at the site.

See also: Newmont — Corporate Sustainability, Multi-Site Communications and Issues Counsel