Mining without Harm Media Clippings
- February 11, 2008: Sulfide mining questions
“Most Sierra Club members would agree with the Mesabi Daily News editorial that no one wants metallic sulfide mining to harm the environment. But basic questions need to be answered: What are the risks? Who benefits? Who pays for failure?…”
Full article: Sulfide mining questions
or read it at the Mesabi Daily News (registration required)
- February 1, 2008: More mines for Minnesota
“The northeastern part of Minnesota has long been known as the Iron Range for the abundance of iron and mining that took place there. Over the past 25 years, mining jobs have been decreasing, but increasing copper values and potentially large, untapped deposits could renew the mining interest in northern Minnesota. It remains to be seen if it can be done without detrimentally impacting the environment…”
Full article: More mines for Minnesota
- January 31, 2008: Viewpoint: Careful scrutiny needed as non-ferrous mining plans move ahead
“At least four promising Lake County sites have been targeted for exploration by non-ferrous mining companies. As the rhetoric heats up between proponents and opponents of copper/nickel mining, its perhaps the time to note that for all the promise of jobs, tax revenues and doing the right thing for the environment, this type of economic development will leave a long-lasting legacy on the landscape.
Thousands of jobs have been offered as an incentive for the state to approve permits and environmental plans that would allow this type of mineral development to occur.
Make no mistake, mining will leave a harsh footprint no matter how many jobs are created.…”
Full article: Careful scrutiny needed as non-ferrous mining plans move ahead
- January 29, 2008: Potentially risky mining method debated at legislative hearing
“At Friday afternoon's legislative hearing held to address the possibility of future sulfide mining in Minnesota, there was standing room only. Concerned citizens from all over the state attended to hear testimony about this method to extract ores such as copper and nickel…”
Full article: Potentially risky mining method debated at legislative hearing
- January 25, 2008: Minnesota lawmakers discuss controversial mining plan
“New copper and nickel mining on Minnesota's Iron Range promises to bring in more than $1 billion and hundreds of jobs to the state, but precious metal mining can produce sulfuric acid, which can cause environmental damage.…rdquo;
Minnesota lawmakers discuss controversial mining plan
- January 25, 2008: A new type of mining on the range
“… The exploration of copper and nickel are at the same time concerning and exciting for many different people across the state. As lawmakers consider how to balance the concerns for the environment with the promise of lots of new jobs they heard from the people who know mining and its impact the best.…”
Watch the video from TPT's Almanac: select the program from their archives for January 25, 2008, then the segment called "A New Type of Mining on the Range."
- January 25, 2008: Lawmakers to weigh mining jobs against sulfuric acid
“Minnesota's prospects for expanding the mining industry get a hearing before state lawmakers Friday afternoon. Legislators will weigh the benefits of large scale mining for gold and other metals against predictions of dire environmental consequences…”
Full article (and audio): Lawmakers to weigh mining jobs against sulfuric acid
- December 4, 2007: On the Iron Range, a good environment is good for the economy
“Ever since the mid 1800s when gold prospectors saw their compasses spin as they stood atop broad ore bodies that would become Minnesota's famous Iron Range, mining has been seen as the region's economic backbone…”
Full article: On the Iron Range, a good environment is good for the economy
- October 8, 2007: Environmental quality is prime economic driver for northern Minnesota
A new report says environmental quality is the prime economic driver for northern Minnesota counties and mining is much less important to the regional and state economy — no need for the area to be an environmental sacrifice zone.
The Economic Role of Metal Mining in Minnesota: Past, Present, and Future by Dr. Thomas Power, Chairman Emeritus, University of Montana Department of Economics.
News Release
Full Report (pdf)
- May 15, 2006: Elanne Palcich speaks out against mining
Mining without Harm volunteer Elanne Palcich explains her opposition to more mining on the Iron Range as part of an MPR story called Range development and the parks.
- July 11, 2005: Agencies to size up impact of mill, mining projects
St. Paul Pioneer Press: "How much heavy industry is too much for Northeastern Minnesota's natural resources?
With more than a half-dozen major mining and mill projects planned for the area, more environmental groups and a federal agency are asking that question.
They want to know what the combined effects might be on the region's air and water quality, wetlands, wildlife and forests if all or some of the projects advance."
full story…
- July 7, 2005: Is it wrong to ask the environmental question?
by Forrest Johnson, Lake County News-Chronicle, Two Harbors, Minnesota
"I have to ask the question. Is it wrong to ask questions about mining and energy plant expansions that are about to occur in and around Lake County? Does asking the question about the future potential impacts of increased pollution on our lakes and streams and lungs make a person a blazing radical environmentalist bent on the destruction of industries that provide jobs and tax revenue for the area?"
full story…
Mesabi Nugget
- July 27, 2005: Nugget plant advances
Duluth News Tribune: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizens Board on Tuesday approved air and water emission permits for development of Mesabi Nugget Erie, a $150 million, 600,000-metric ton-per-year iron nugget plant at the former LTV Steel Mining Co. site near Hoyt Lakes. — by Lee Bloomquist, Duluth News Tribune staff writer
full story…
- July 26, 2005: MPCA votes on Mesabi Nugget plant
Minnesota Public Radio: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will decide today whether to issue permits for a proposed iron nugget plant in Hoyt Lakes on Minnesota's Iron Range. The Legislature put the controversial project on a fast track last year by exempting Mesabi Nugget from a full-scale environmental review. Critics are skeptical the proposed permits will do enough to protect the environment, and they'd like more time to study the issues. But the company that wants to build the plant has threatened to take its new technology to some other location where it could get permits faster. — by Stephanie Hemphill, Minnesota Public Radio
full story…
- June 15, 2005: Pollution concerns surface
Duluth News Tribune: The U.S. Forest Service and environmentalists question pollution associated with a proposed iron nugget manufacturing plant near Hoyt Lakes. — by Scott Thistle, Duluth News Tribune staff writer
"Clyde Hanson, a Lutsen-based volunteer with the Sierra Club's Mining Without Harm Campaign, offered the most stringent criticism.
"We're outraged that a huge furnace with untested technology may get a permit which doesn't require mercury controls, allows haze over the BWCAW, provides incentives for failing performance tests, is full of loopholes and contains promises to further lower its weak standards without public participation," he said in a prepared statement.
Hanson submitted a 32-page comment to the PCA outlining each of the club's specific concerns.
full story…
- May 26, 2005: Pollution concerns aired
Duluth News Tribune: Environmental concerns arise during an informational meeting about the proposed Erie Nugget project on the Iron Range.
full story…
- May 26, 2005: MPCA Garners Nugget Comments
Mesabi Daily News: Public meeting held in Hoyt Lakes for proposed Mesabi Nugget plant.
full story…
Polymet Sulfide Mining
- July 18, 2005: PolyMet no benign mining project
Mesabi Daily News: "I attended the informational meeting on PolyMet low-sulfide mining held in Hoyt Lakes on June 29. After listening to the PolyMet presentation, I thought to myself, 'Well, this sounds like a fairly benign project.' Since there was no opportunity for public discussion, I left for home with a 200-page copy of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet and six days in which to submit comments to the DNR. What Ive read in this document is anything but benign."
full story…
- May 11, 2005: PolyMet wants to fill 1,200 wetlands acres
The plan would produce the largest loss of wetlands for one project in Minnesota.
Duluth News Tribune: full story…