Contact:
Clyde Hanson, Co-Chair, Mining Without Harm Campaign
(218) 387-9081, (612) 418-1192 (cell)
http://northstar.sierraclub.org/campaigns/mining/sulfide.html
PolyMet — It ain't your father's taconite mine
Duluth — Today the Sierra Club released suggestions for improving the soon-to-start environmental impact study for one of three proposed sulfide mines in the Superior National Forest. This large open pit mine would be in a crook of the Partridge River south of Ely. The Sierra Club has 20,000 people from all walks of life as members and volunteers in Minnesota and 750,000 nationwide. Its mission is to explore, enjoy and protect the planet.
PolyMet and two other investor groups are proposing a dangerous type of mining and mineral processing new to Minnesota. Unlike taconite mining, they'll spew acid and toxic metals into our clean air and waters. 1,200 acres of wetlands vital to fishing, hunting, Duluth's water supply and Lake Superior fisheries would be at risk. Decisions affecting our communities will be made by foreign companies. After these layoff-prone mines play out in only 20 years, the perpetual costs of treating polluted waters and tending toxic wastes could fall on taxpayers because sulfide mines are reactive or sulfuric acid-producing for thousands of years. Auto batteries contain sulfuric acid.
Arrowhead citizens are working together to protect the people at risk of pollution-caused sickness and our wild heritage by asking the government and companies for Mining Without Harm. These comments are one step in the Club's campaign to protect the people and places we love.
"I grew up on the range, but this is not like taconite mining. The waste rock has toxic metals and can produce acid that kills the critters at the base of the food chain. We could end up with dead rivers," said Kelli Cool, a volunteer for the Mining Without Harm Campaign."
"As a retired teacher, I don't want taxpayers to have to pay to clean up the mess after the mine plays out," said Irene Ferrario, a volunteer from Duluth, "and I'm concerned about the huge loss of wetlands and wildlife habitat."
"My wife and I are expecting our first child, yet we can't eat fish because of mercury. We have to stop poisoning ourselves and this sulfide mine is risky," said Nick Polansky of Minneapolis."
"We are concerned. Some critical alternatives and mitigations of environmental damage were not in the draft outline for the environmental review. Without this information the public won't be able to judge if this would be mining without harm," said Clyde Hanson, volunteer Co-Chair of the campaign for the Sierra Club."
Other conservation groups commenting include: Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, National Wildlife Federation, Friends of the Boundary Waters, and Save Lake Superior Association. Copies of the comments are available from .