About Us
Bluegrass Fluorspar Company combines proven mining expertise, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to American industrial independence
The Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District
The Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District, spanning Hardin and Pope Counties in southeastern Illinois and Crittenden, Livingston, and Caldwell Counties in western Kentucky, represents one of America’s most significant critical mineral resources.
Until the 1970s, more than three-quarters of all fluorspar produced in the United States came from this district, which served as the nation’s largest fluorite producer during World War II—a testament to its strategic importance during times of national need.
In the 1990s, Chinese overproduction flooded global markets with artificially low-priced fluorspar, shuttering American operations that could not compete on price alone. This led to decades of complete import dependence, leaving the United States vulnerable in critical mineral supply chains.
Bluegrass Fluorspar Company’s foundation is built on six decades
of mining expertise and commitment to the Illinois-Kentucky mining district.
Our Story
A Legacy Built in the Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District
Flagship Operation
1965
Hastie Mining Founded
Robin, Don, and Bob Hastie established Hastie Mining as a fluorspar operation in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, beginning a family legacy that would span generations.
Strategic Adaptation
As fluorspar markets collapsed due to Chinese overproduction, the Hastie family demonstrated resilience by transitioning to limestone quarry operations while continuing to produce fluorspar as a by-product. They also established operations to import, process, and sell fluorspar from Mexico alongside domestic production.
Klondike Development
The Hastie family leased, explored, and fully permitted the Klondike reserve, positioning it for future production. During this period, they also purchased significant quantities from the US government’s fluorspar stockpile, demonstrating their continued commitment to the industry.
New Chapter
Today, Hastie Minerals, LLC.—owned and operated by Bob Hastie, his daughter Kimberly Watson, and her husband Jimmy—maintains the lease to the Klondike reserve and serves as a key partner in Bluegrass Fluorspar Company’s mission to restore domestic production.
Leadership Team
Proven executives with deep experience in mining operations, strategic growth, and industry leadership
Matthew D. Miller
Founder & Owner
Matthew co-founded Miller Contracting Services LLC in Carrier Mills, Illinois with his family in 2007. As a specialized mining construction and engineering company, Miller Contracting installs shafts, hoists, fans, and material handling equipment in mining operations throughout the United States.
Under Matthew’s leadership as Vice President (2007-2021) and CEO (2021-2025), the company grew to $97 million in revenue with 160 employees by 2024. He remains a partner in the company while dedicating his focus to establishing Bluegrass Fluorspar Company.
Matthew’s extensive experience in mining infrastructure and operations positions him uniquely to lead the development of the Klondike II Mine.
James M. Smith
Chief Operating Officer / Chief Financial Officer
Serving as an Executive and Corporate Officer from 2005 to 2020, James was promoted to President/CEO, a position he held until 2025. During his tenure, he was instrumental in significantly growing the company’s revenue with more than 600 employees and contractors.
James has also served as President and Executive Board member of the Illinois Coal Association and Illinois Mining Institute, and sat on the Executive Board of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce for numerous terms, where he remains active. His extensive industry relationships and operational expertise are invaluable to Bluegrass Fluorspar Company’s success.
Brad Rigsby
General Manager of Operations
As a degreed Mining Engineer with Professional Registration in Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, Brad has held a variety of operational and engineering roles across the Illinois Basin, Central Appalachia, and Australia, driving safety, cost efficiency, and innovation for the past 35 years.
After serving in different roles with Arch Mineral/Arch Coal in the 1990’s, Brad joined a privately-held Black Mountain Resources
(Richard Gilliam affiliate) in 1999, to assist in the ramp-up of an idle property in the Lynch district to 5.5MM tpa. Not long after returning to the Illinois basin in the mid-2000’s, Brad joined Black Panther Mining (Blankeberger Brothers affiliate) and served as Project Manager and, eventually, General Manager over a large, multi-unit underground complex near Oaktown, IN, growing to over 550 employees. In 2017, Brad joined Peabody Energy, serving as General Manager of an underground room-and-pillar operation in Francisco, Indiana.
Most recently, before joining Bluegrass Fluorspar, Brad returned from a two-and-a-half-year assignment for Peabody Australia as General Manager of the Wambo Coal longwall operation in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales.
Government Affairs
Bluegrass Fluorspar Company maintains active engagement with policy makers and government stakeholders to support the restoration of domestic critical mineral production.
Dwayne Siekman
Government Affairs
dwayne@siekmanandsiekman.com
(614) 745-4857
Pamlea Siekman
Government Affairs
pamela@siekmanandsiekman.com
(614) 738-5116
DC Office: (202) 599-4752
Aligned with National Priorities
Bluegrass Fluorspar Company’s mission directly supports current federal initiatives to reduce critical mineral dependence and strengthen domestic supply chains.
National Energy Emergency (EO 14156)
Recognizes critical mineral dependency as a national security threat and seeks to reduce regulatory burdens on domestic mining operations to accelerate production.
Increasing American Mineral Production
March 2025 executive actions expedite permitting for mining on federal lands, prioritize critical mineral projects, and utilize Defense Production Act authorities to boost domestic capacity.
Offshore Critical Minerals Framework
April 2025 executive actions establish frameworks for US companies to access offshore minerals, including prioritizing seabed mapping and exploration to expand domestic critical mineral sources.