Vernal Chamber luncheon didn’t disappoint on Tuesday thanks to a presentation by Simplot blasting supervisor Cassidy McAllister. Simplot Phosphates, LLC not only channels around $38 million dollars into the Vernal and Rock Springs economies through employee salaries, it is also a major supporter of community events like Holly Days and Trees for Charity. Their presentation on Tuesday, however, focused on one thing, blasting innovations at the mine, and the blast videos had the group’s full attention. The blasting techniques now used at the mine have not only resulted in huge cost savings to Simplot, it is also innovating the professional field. Cassidy McAllister is the premiere blast engineer in the world, explained mill and pipeline superintendent Dan Darlington, and there is only one other company in the world attempting what McAllister is doing. “He’s really come in and taken an innovative idea,” said Darlington, “…and we’ve competed very well, head to head with other countries.”
