VIBURNUM, Mo. (Sept. 16, 2019)— On Oct. 4-6, The Doe Run Company (Doe Run) and the Viburnum community will celebrate the region’s mining history at the 33rd Annual Old Miners Days festival. The event includes free tours of Doe Run’s mines on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Mining has been a part of Missouri’s history for more than 300 years,” said Brian Mangogna, general manager at Doe Run’s Southeast Missouri Mining and Milling Division (SEMO). “Those early miners would be amazed to see the technologies transforming how we work today. In many cases, we’re one of the first mining companies to pilot new innovations, like Railveyor, an automated electrically powered underground light rail system. Innovation is important in order to keep Doe Run a leader in the lead mining industry for many years to come.”

During Old Miners Days, visitors are invited to go roughly 1,250 feet underground to see a working lead mine. The mines are cavernous, with roadways large enough to accommodate haul trucks, and feature glittering rock faces and dramatic rock pillars. Guests 12 and older can register at Doe Run’s Old Miners Days booth, and buses will transport guests to and from the site.

“This is one of our favorite weekends of the entire year,” said Mangogna. “We live and work in this community too, and enjoy the opportunity to show our neighbors what modern mining actually looks like.”

More than 100 Doe Run employees volunteer their time each year to make Old Miners Days a success. Above ground, mining equipment, such as haul trucks and loaders, will be on display, along with an area where children can see how the equipment works by moving sand with remote-controlled loaders.

Old Miners Days is a celebration of the Viburnum area’s rich history as one of the world’s largest lead mining districts. The annual event attracts thousands of visitors to enjoy music, food and family-friendly activities. The variety of entertainment provides fun for any age, including a parade, car show, musical performances, children’s games, and more. The events will take place next to the Viburnum High School on the Viburnum Center parking lot. Learn more about Old Miners Days, including a full schedule of events, at https://www.oldminersdays.com/.

About The Doe Run Company

Based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, The Doe Run Company is a privately held natural resources company and a global provider of lead, copper and zinc concentrates. Dedicated to environmentally responsible mineral and metal production, Doe Run operates one of the world’s largest, single-site lead recycling centers, located in Boss, Missouri, and mines from one of the world’s largest lead mining districts, also in Missouri. The Doe Run Company and its subsidiaries deliver products and services necessary to provide power, protection and convenience. Doe Run has operations in Missouri, Washington and Arizona. For more information, visit www.doerun.com and sustainability.doerun.com.

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