Sterling Mines shuts down the Sunshine operation
Yesterday we pulled the Beemer into the local parking lot the same time as a new Hummer pulled in. The two vehicles added a little classy look to the empty parking lot of the old bar.
We were already being served when the three men and a woman entered and sat at the corner end of the bar near us. Himself knew one of the men and they exchanged hellos and a handshake.
It became clear that Happy Hour would be a little less jovial when we learned that most of the patrons in the place had just got their walking papers from the promising new mining company, after a surprisingly short span of operation.
Of the four closest to us only the woman still had her job for the moment...women underground is pretty commonplace here now, but her husband had worked his last shift. The $85K Hummer was their car. Sterling Mines paid very well and apparently the generous production bonuses hadn't hurt this couple either. He appeared nonchalant about the layoff...well respected miners can be selective about where they want to work and he wasn't worried about getting on anywhere, except for the fact that they own a home here and the wife is not free to take her son from a previous marriage out of state; following him as he tramp mined around the country was not an option.
The Sunshine didn't run out of silver, from what I understood of the conversation...the company ran out of money to operate. It wasn't a huge operation, but in a small area like here, it may just be the beginning of a bust that could really impact the whole Valley...just as it has in the past. Hopefully it was just bad management by one outfit, and not the portent of a domino effect from the numerous mining outfits.
During the roughly two hours we were there I never heard one utterance of anything remotely akin to politics or politicians. The talk was mostly about who is hiring in the Northwest, and much gratitude that hunting season is looming within days now.
Today the sun rose and graced us with yet another summery day. Autumn is forecast to arrive right on schedule next week.
Tomorrow I'll take a drive south to St. Maries. Must remember to take the camera.
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