Genesis Alkali mine visited by U.S. senator, secretary of labor last week

The Genesis Alkali trona mine west of Green River hosted a tour for U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta Tuesday.

According to Enzi, he invites the secretaries he meets to visit Wyoming and when Enzi invited Acosta during his confirmation hearings, he took the senator up on the offer. The two spent two days in Wyoming, touring the North Antelope Rochelle Mine south of Gillette, the Wind River Job Corps Center near Riverton, as well as the trona mine.

Acosta said he has visited other mines in the past, but admits the scale Wyoming mines operate at is much larger than the previous mines he toured.

“I’m delighted to be here,” Acosta said.

Enzi and Acosta’s tour also gave the two the opportunity to discuss the importance of skilled trades and labor in the economy.

Acosta said jobs in skilled trades like carpentry and truck driving, which are offered at the Wind River Job Corps Center, are in demand.

“That is a fantastic program,” Enzi said. “It’s a very impressive place.”

Acosta said Enzi had a hand in helping establish the center, which has been the third highest in job placement since Acosta’s department started tracking the statistic in 2017. Acosta said he has worked with the senator with other projects, including a new association health plan program that helps provide healthcare coverage to people in related industries.

These plans have grown to include plans offered throughout Nevada chambers of commerce to member organization’s employees and Land O’ Lakes offering an association health plan to its employees in multiple states.

Enzi said the association plans have the opportunity to cross state lines, which can help lower costs to people living in lower population states like Wyoming.

Acosta also praised Genesis Alkali’s safety record, as well as the continued improvements in mine safety.

“It’s important to realize the safety of mining is always improving,” he said.

He said the jobs provided in the area’s trona mines allow people to support their families and have a great quality of life.

Acosta also said wages in skilled labor trades have increased by 3.6 percent.