Brian Matlock: What Does Arizona’s State Mine Inspector Actually Do?

from The Jeff Oravits Show Podcast Hosted by Jeff Oravits, JeffOravits, TalkWithJeff, Talk With Jeff

Democratic nominee for Arizona State Mine Inspector Brian Matlock joins me for an in-depth look at one of Arizona’s lesser-known statewide elected offices. We discuss Matlock’s background and experience, why the State Mine Inspector is a partisan elected position, and what the office actually does when it comes to mine safety, inspections, accidents and Arizona’s active and abandoned mines. Arizona is the Copper State, but are we still living up to that name? We talk about the importance of mining to Arizona’s economy, the challenges of opening and operating mines today, and the future of an industry producing resources increasingly important to technology and American manufacturing. We also get into abandoned mines and worker safety before ending with one of the more controversial mining issues in Arizona: uranium mining and the Pinyon Plain Mine near the Grand Canyon. It’s a chance to hear from the Democratic nominee and learn more about an Arizona statewide office that doesn’t get a lot of attention — but has a big job.