THE PROPER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NSSGA MINERAL IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT GUIDE FOR MINERAL SITE ASSESSMENTS

The NSSGA Mineral Identification and Management Guide dated August 28, 2009 offers a reasonable, complete, and clear methodology to properly address the issue of NOA in any pit or quarry. This includes tools to determine the presence or absence of asbestiform mineralogy, the mineralogical composition, and spatial distribution of its occurrence. Because of the high degree of regulation associated with these mineral occurrences, the NSSGA guide also demonstrates how a proper mineralogical site assessment should be accomplished for suspect operations. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recognizes that "many questions and areas of confusion and scientific uncertainty remain". A proper mineral site assessment, accomplished by a professional geologist, can protect a company by deflecting false accusations which may be published and/or significantly reducing the exposure to very expensive testing and likely litigation. With multiple aggregate mining companies addressing the issue of NOA via the NSSGA guide, this demonstrates an earnest concern and interest in worker health, adhering to good business practices, and helping refute junk science with regard to NOA.