Atlas Fausett Contracting

In September of 1997, Atlas took over the operations of Fausett Mine Service, a privately held mining contracting company established in 1956. The new division, known as Atlas Fausett Contracting (AFC), served to generate operating revenue for Atlas, as well as maintain a strong in-house mining capability.

AFC provides a variety of services, including site evaluation, feasibility studies, trouble-shooting and consultation prior to the undertaking of exploration and mine development. AFC projects include all types of underground mine development, rehabilitation and specialized civil construction. In addition, AFC provides mine closure services. Services are contracted either individually or as joint ventures depending on the requirements of a particular project or the specific needs of an individual client. AFC also handles work under contract from government agencies.

AFC crews are experienced and have worked on projects in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and British Columbia. AFC has the required licenses to work in Idaho, Washington and Montana and has the ability to license in most states in the western United States. AFC operates under a permit from the Mine Safety and Health Administration and also possesses a permit to handle explosives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

AFC was the main contractor at the Mayflower Mine, a Brimstone Gold Corp. project, outside of Whitehall, Montana, and for the Holden Mine closure, a U.S. Government and U.R.S. Corporation project on Lake Chelan, Washington.

AFC is experienced in a number of different mining techniques. In addition to normal underground mining activities, AFC pursues projects in civil construction utilizing its expertise in ground stabilization techniques, such as grouting, shotcrete, and rock bolting. AFC has provided tunnel construction expertise for hydroelectric work. AFC also works with government agencies and other mining companies to complete mine closures and alleviate potential hazards from abandoned mines.

Since AFC focuses on underground mining activities, there is very little surface disturbance, which is the main environmental concern faced by mining companies whose activities are centered on surface mining.