Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us a little about your company.
Steven R. Tucker: Comstock Mining Inc. (CMI) is a Nevada-based gold and silver mining company with extensive, contiguous property holdings (approximately 6,400 acres) in the Comstock Lode Mining District. CMI began acquiring properties in 2003 and has consolidated a significant portion of the Comstock Lode Mining District, amassed the single largest known repository of historical and current geological data on the Comstock Lode region, secured permits, built an infrastructure and brought the exploration project into test mining production. The goal of its strategic plan is to deliver stockholder value by validating qualified resources (at least measured and indicated) and reserves of 3,250,000 gold equivalent ounces by 2013, and commencing commercial mining and processing operations in 2011, with annual production rates of 20,000 gold equivalent ounces.
At present, Comstock Mining, Inc. has assembled a team of more than 30 professionals in various disciplines including mine engineering, environmental, geology, land management, administration, maintenance, metallurgy and safety.
NNBW: What role do you play in the company?
Tucker: I am primarily responsible for developing a mine plan for the starter pit that will bring Comstock Mining Inc. into gold and silver production by the end of 2011.
NNBW: How did you get into the profession?
Tucker: I caught gold fever as a kid growing up in northwest Oregon. My dad and I found an abandoned mine tunnel that glittered with gold (later identified as pyrite or "fools gold"). I subsequently taught myself how to pan for gold and became a recreational gold dredger during high school. Upon graduation I decided that I would pursue a career in mining and attended college to become a mining engineer.
NNBW: What does a person need to succeed in this job?
Tucker: One must be able to adapt to working outdoors in all sorts of weather and in all sorts of places. It helps if you are not claustrophobic and not afraid of heights, depths or darkness. In my case, my career has taken me throughout the western United States from Alaska to Arizona living in small cities, rural communities and remote camps. I've worked 8,000 feet on a mountain top and 4,000 feet underground with temperatures ranging from minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Good people skills are helpful. A strong background in math and sciences including chemistry, geometry, geology and physics are required. A good sense of direction and the ability to read maps and engineering drawings is essential.
NNBW: If you could have had any other profession what would it have been? Why wasn't it your first choice?
Tucker: Professional railroading was my alternative. Since I was a kid I have had a fascination with railroads. When I graduated high school, the railroads were kind of struggling as an industry and employment opportunities were not favorable. On the other hand, gold had recently hit $800 per ounce and places like Nevada were booming with gold mining projects and there were plenty of employment opportunities.
NNBW: What are some of the important trends you see in your industry?
Tucker: As the world's population continues to increase and developing countries continue to raise their respective standards of living, the demand for raw materials such as metals and minerals continues to increase. However, discovering and developing these deposits is increasingly more difficult due to environmental, political and regulatory policies.
NNBW: What do you like to do when you're not working?
Tucker: Sightseeing and exploring the region I live in, visiting friends and relatives, lake kayaking, fly fishing, dirt bike riding, and learning to play acoustic guitar.
NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?
Tucker: The mining industry is a very challenging and dynamic business. The relatively simple act of mining is intertwined with such things as commodity prices, economics, politics, public policies, regulations and technology which are constantly changing. Mining generally pays well and provides exciting and interesting opportunities for both your career and life experience. Because metal and mineral deposits are naturally distributed throughout the world, you can expect opportunities to work nearly anywhere if you choose. With that in mind, during your career you can expect to live in some pretty nice places and some pretty harsh places. You might be able to see your family and friends every day and other times you might not see them for weeks or months at a time.
NNBW: Would you rather be younger, thinner, richer or smarter? Why?
Tucker: I'd rather be smarter because then I would figure out how to be richer, then I could afford a gym membership that would result in being thinner and maybe I would be able to discover how to stop the aging process.
NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Tucker: Just be yourself and keep smiling!
NNBW: What are five things you can't live without?
Tucker: Liberty, family, friends, good food and music.
NNBW: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why would you want it?
Tucker: I would like the ability to transport myself at the speed of light from one location to the next. I have spent way too much of my life sitting behind the wheel of my pickup truck traveling back and forth across the Great Basin.
NNBW: What does the content of your refrigerator say about you?
Tucker: I am well balanced and enjoy a bit of sweet and spice.
The basics:
Name: Steven R. Tucker
Professional position: Comstock Mining Inc., senior mine engineer
How long have you been in this job? One month
How long in the profession? 20 years
Education: Bachelor of science in mining engineering from the University of Idaho.
Best book you've read? I have to admit that I am not an avid reader but I did recently read and enjoyed "Roughing It" by Mark Twain.
What's on your iPod? You'll find a wide spectrum including Allison Krauss, America, Barenaked Ladies, Billy Idol, Boston, Brad Paisley, Cherryholmes, Def Leppard, Doobie Brothers, Eagles, Electric Light Orchestra, Garth Brooks, George Benson, Gordon Lightfoot, Heart, Hootie & The Blowfish, Jimmy Buffet, Johnny Cash, John Denver, Lady Antebellum, Nickelback, Pablo Cruise, Pink Floyd, The Cars, Sugar Ray, Trace Adkins, Van Halen and ZZ Top.
The best movie ever? The original "Star Wars."
Spouse, kids or pets? Single, never married, no kids, a more-than-16 year old cat named Scratchy.
