News

Smoky Canyon Web site launched
POCATELLO — The J.R. Simplot Company has launched a new web site related to its Smoky Canyon Phosphate operations located near Afton, Wyoming. The new site, smokycanyon.com, provides access to government documents related to Smoky Canyon Mine, as well as photos of the operation, people, and area wildlife. The site also contains a news room where the company officials offer clarifications and corrections to media stories which have appeared.

Bill Whitacre, president of Simplot’s AgriBusiness Group, says the new website helps explain issues related to phosphate extraction in the West. “Mining on public lands has become a very complicated and complex process, involving many government agencies and creating a whole new vernacular of terms,” he said. “This site is intended to help our employees, neighbors, suppliers and vendors learn about phosphate mining and better understand the issues surrounding Smoky Canyon.”

Simplot is expecting the final Environmental Impact Statement to be issued soon which will outline the path forward for the next phase of the operation, which should provide phosphate ore to the company’s manufacturing plant in Pocatello for the next 15 years.
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-- Posted on Tuesday, October 2, 2007