Dumas Plant, the Only North American Producer of a Key Mining Chemical, Celebrates 60 Years
Segunda, Junho 16, 2025
How does Tessenderlo Kerley’s smallest but oldest plant, located in a small town in the Texas panhandle, provide one of the most important mining products in North America?
Through a daily commitment to safety, sustainability and each other – a commitment that was celebrated in June as our Dumas, Texas plant celebrated 60 years of operational excellence, with the potential for even bigger things on the horizon.
“What makes me excited about working for Tessenderlo Kerley and this facility is what it can be, growing this site, and just being the best that we can,” said Dumas Plant Manager Chris Stricklind.
Originally a gas plant, the Dumas facility now produces liquid nokes reagent for moleko, Tessenderlo Kerley’s industrial business unit. It’s the only facility in North America to produce this essential chemistry for mining companies, helping recover molybdenum, a valuable and scarce metal used in household items such as TVs, smartphones, kitchen sinks, tools and car engines.
“The Dumas team doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to customer service and making sure the mines have product year-round, and their dedication and record on safety and quality is outstanding,” said Tessenderlo Kerley Senior VP of Operations Alex Dimitriadis, who joined Executive VP Russell Sides and Central Area Manager Brian Hestand for a celebratory lunch in honor of the 60-year milestone.
Stricklind’s team is dedicated to manufacturing and loading product safely and in an environmentally friendly manner. “Operating under stringent safety and quality standards, the Dumas team provides effective and environmentally responsible reagents for mineral processing,” said moleko Sales Manager Gerardo Garcia. “Their strategic importance to our success can’t be overstated.”
When Operator Lynn Scott joined the Dumas team in 2022, he quickly learned that safety is Priority No. 1. “If you’re doing your job and doing it well, that means you’re doing it safely,” he said. “You have these corrosive materials out here and you have to be careful around them. At the end of the day, you want everyone to get home safely.”
Operator Ruben Ortega said the best part of his six-plus years in Dumas is the friendship, respect and trust he’s built with his teammates.
“We have a close, friendly relationship that allows the day to pass quickly,” he said. “We discuss our weekly loading schedules and upcoming production, and we’re all family men, so safety plays a major role in our daily activities.”
But the Dumas team never falls into the trap of complacency. In just the last two years, the plant has significantly upgraded its equipment and performed more functions, such as product testing, in-house.
“It’s so important to always look for ways to improve,” Stricklind said. “We’re looking forward to expanding the plant and offering more products to ship, and servicing more of our business units out of this location.”
The management team’s visit to celebrate Dumas’ 60-year milestone was a reminder of the plant’s vital role – and the possibilities that lie ahead.
“We have so much gratitude and appreciation for not only safety and reliability, but the essential nature of what this plant produces,” Dimitriadis said. “We look forward to continuous improvement here, and the growth that’s going to come with it.”