MGx has learned that Oregon Resources construction project at its Bunker Hill ore processing facility may be under investigation by the Oregon State Building Codes Division for multiple code violations, including using unlicensed electricians. Pending copies of the complaints via a public records request, it is believed that an earlier complaint is still being followed up on and additional structural concerns have been raised.
According to one source, a third party structural steel inspection firm, Pinnacle Western, Inc., has been ordered to rewrite inspection reports pertaining to bolt tension and torque requirements. Vague language in the reports left the impression the inspections may not have been adquate (example pictured).
Other structural concerns raised include ultrasonic testing that should have been done on some of the bolts and paint finishes on the steel that come in contact with connecting bolts. If the wrong paint finish was used, some connections may require welding.
Responding to a request for information, Berri Leslie compliance officer at the Building Codes Division in Salem, replied via email, “The division does not comment on open investigations.” However, a comment left on this blog indicates an investigation into the use of unlicensed electricians may also be underway.
There is no evidence of South African electricians working on the chromite processing plant. This company may be involved with the engineering but CCC Group, Inc. is performing the construction.
That being said there have been very few local licensed electricians hired for this construction project. They ones that they have hired are from Texas, New Mexico, Arizona many without any electrical licenses at all. I have asked the Building Codes Division of Oregon to start an investigation into the use of these unlicensed individuals and believe that the investigation is ongoing.
Robert Westerman
IBEW 932
Obviously, neighbors of the Seven Devils mine site are concerned that if ORC doesn’t comply with building permit requirements it may also not operate the mine site within the conditions of its permits.
Re Aghast February 17 comment. It is not clear if West Coast Contractors or CCC are the prime contractors for the chromite etc. processing facility. This facility is small compared to some work that CCC has done. CCC manufactures structures that would be the guts of the processing facility. The company is nation wide and in Australia,
West Coast and CCC are in business to make a profit. They are also in business to keep THEIR employees, not our unemployed or underemployed Coos County neighbors, employed. No bidder expecting to win a contract award would base their offer on the high wages that would have been paid to locals when lower paid employees could be found and used.
Both West Coast and CCC could have hired EVERY employee required to build the processing facility from Coos County – assuming they were qualified, were licensed (as may be required), were interested in employment, and were available. When Commissioners Whitty and Main, speaking for you, their employer, provided tax relief etc. to ORC, they demanded that a higher hourly wage must be paid to local employees who were hired by ORC. They could have, and should have, demanded that locals be offered jobs first, and locals be hired first, unless none were qualified or could not be found and that locals be paid the higher wage by ORC and by every lower tier subcontractor to ORC. It’s done every day of the week in business and government at all levels.
Ask your commissioners why they failed you here. Ask your neighbiors at West Coast Cotractors why they were unable to hire only locals – in addition to their cadre of skilled workers. Ask sister company West Coast Resources if they intend to hire only locals for the mining operations. Almost six years ago, when the port was giving similar relief to Jordan Cove Energy, the same demands could have been made. The port commission and its executive director rejected the suggestion from the community.
Ten floors of structural steel is not common here but electrical and plumbing, surely they could have found subs in Oregon, if not Coos Bay. It is Oregon that is giving them the tax breaks in exchange for jobs
There is nobody in Coos County qualified to do the scope of worok being done by CCC. This is exactly what people should have expected. When you contract with a large construction copmpany from outside of the area, expect them to bring in their employees, or their subcontractors with whom they have worked before. If you have an interest in the LNG facility, you will see hundreds, if not thousands, of outsiders – many from foreign lands – all who have worked with the facility general contractor before.
Upon seeing how this companys’ representatives publicly slapping the local citizens with one hand while begging from them with the other, why expect them to behave in any other manner? These guys have insulted all of us and they need supervision of the highest order. This is serious business these guys deal in with strip mines. They seem to me to be nothing more than arrogant abusive hucksters who have a tendency from day one to get away with all they can.
Shame on Coos County for giving them one damn thing. Let them come on here and list the jobs they promised locals. And show us the licenses of their subs.