The nonferrous mineral mining argument in northern Minnesota hasn’t gone away, it’s just ensconced in a chrysalis, waiting for the first project, PolyMet, to share it’s updated plan with the EPA.
This Tuesday, June 18, a free luncheon will be held entitled “The Economics of Sulfide Mining: Benefits and Costs.” The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, suggesting it will cast an alternative light on the economic arguments advanced by mining interests. You need to register by 3 p.m. today to qualify for the free lunch.
From the event page:
Proposals to mine the sulfide ores of northern Minnesota for copper, nickel and precious metals present both economic opportunities and economic risks. Dr. Thomas Power of the University of Montana has studied the intersection of natural resources and regional economic vitality for years, and is the author of “The Economic Role of Metal Mining in Minnesota: Past, Present, and Future.” He’ll be presenting on the potential economic effects of proposed mines like PolyMet and Twin Metals during this lunchtime presentation. There will be an audience-driven question and answer session with Dr. Power after his presentation.
Business owners, members of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, and interested members of the general public are invited. This is a free event, and lunch is provided for all who RSVP by 3 PM, Friday June 14.
Meantime, Twin Metals, the next major nonferrous mining projects slated in northeastern Minnesota, plans an open house event June 21.
Twin Metals finished its new 17,000 square foot core storage facility near its Ely headquarters. It will celebrate with a community open house and picnic on Friday, June 21 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the new facility on Miners Drive in Ely.
if you’re interested in this issue I’d encourage you to attend both events, and gather as much independent information as you can. With a sometimes comically pro-mining slant out of the Range’s largest newspaper, the Mesabi Daily News, it’s hard to come by anything resembling objective truth. That’s why the updated EIS from PolyMet becomes big news later this summer.
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