St. Paul, Minn. (July 18, 2019) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to today’s announcement that Twin Metals Minnesota plans use the dry stack method for its project’s tailings storage configuration:
“Today’s Twin Metals Minnesota announcement of its plan to use a dry stack tailings storage method is an example of what responsible companies do – listen to and consider the counsel provided by regulators, tribes, communities, industry and organizations like ours, configuring their projects to accomplish both environmental protection and economic feasibility.
“Jobs for Minnesotans supports companies that optimize technology selection to both meet environmental standards and deliver strong economic impact to our state. For Twin Metals Minnesota, the dry stack tailings storage method is the right option to do just that for its specific underground mine project. The method will also result in adding about 50 more jobs to the payroll once the mine is operational.
“All major development projects, including non-ferrous mining projects, should be allowed to work with stakeholders to design projects that meet our society’s needs without being prematurely judged. Once formally proposed, the project should then be thoroughly reviewed by regulators and the public in a manner that evaluates the facts. Jobs for Minnesotans believes the regulatory process is a means to strengthen and improve projects to ultimately assure that if projects achieve their permits, the public’s interests have been met.
“Each new mining project has unique circumstances and configurations based on its specific location, geology and environmental factors. While Twin Metals Minnesota has yet to submit its formal project proposal to state and federal regulators, we look forward to when they do in the coming months and watch this exciting project move through the thorough review process.
“Twin Metals Minnesota will bring more than 700 well-paying and family sustaining jobs as well as 1,400 spinoff jobs to the region. The company has already invested more than $450 million in the project and region to-date and is expected to invest $1.2 billion by the time the mine is operational.”
“Twin Metals Minnesota will bring more than 700 well-paying and family sustaining jobs as well as 1,400 spinoff jobs to the region. The company has already invested more than $450 million in the project and region to-date and is expected to invest $1.2 billion by the time the mine is operational.”
About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 55,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 companies and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.
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Media Contact: Nancy Norr, Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
Cell: 218.590.6978