Enough is Enough!
Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna
Some special interest groups want a far-reaching environmental impact statement done by the U.S. Forest Service on the effects of mining done in all of northern Minnesota, specifically in the Superior National Forest.
But Democratic elected officials are basically saying in unison — enough is enough. Some of them, however, are using more direct and unequivocal wording.
They all say the proposal would be providing an unnecessary layer of environmental review on top of stringent processes already in place.
PolyMet: Visit With Us at Earth Fest
Hometown Focus
PolyMet Mining
Hybrid cars. LED lights. Solar panels. Wind turbines.
All of the above are required for sustainable energy solutions. They also require a number of metals – metals that the proposed PolyMet project will responsibly and economically mine. Green metals.
Located on Northeastern Minnesota’s Iron Range, PolyMet Mining’s proposed copper-nickel mine will produce copper, nickel, cobalt, platinum, palladium and gold. These metals are needed for everyday living and for a green economy.
Read more: http://www.hometownfocus.us/news/2014-04-18/Features/PolyMet_Visit_with_us_at_Earth_Fest.html
Nolan: Let’s Permit PolyMet
Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna
Permit the PolyMet Mine project on the Range — now.
That’s the unequivocal message 8th District Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan sent last week to the government agencies involved with the NorthMet (PolyMet) copper/nickel/precious metals venture.
Nolan’s letter to Lisa Fay, EIS project manager of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, was dated and sent a day prior to release of the PolyMet SDEIS, which gave a favorable rating to the project that showed considerable improvement from the first EIS in 2009/2010.
Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/news/local/article_bca48f98-acb2-11e3-87c8-001a4bcf887a.html
Good News for PolyMet
Grand Rapids Herald-Review
Bill Hanna
The PolyMet copper/nickel/precious metals project near Hoyt Lakes and Babbitt got some good news from the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday.
The EPA, on the same day that the three-month public comment period on it for its supplemental draft environmental impact statement concluded, issued a EC-2 rating for that document dealing with the company’s NorthMet project.
The EPA finding received high praise from PolyMet officials.
Read more: http://www.grandrapidsmn.com/news/article_c897afd2-ab96-11e3-9cbd-001a4bcf887a.html
An Extraordinary Opportunity
Pioneer Press
Opinion: Dave Semerad
As CEO of Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, and writing for the state’s oldest and largest construction trade association, AGC believes the PolyMet project represents an extraordinary opportunity for all Minnesotans.
This project will infuse economic vitality into communities that understand and embrace the importance of clean air and water, and the conservation of our forests, wildlife and countryside.
Read more: http://www.twincities.com/letters/ci_25339630/make-it-personal
Duluth News Tribune
Opinion: Nancy Norr
In my 25 years of experience as an economic-development professional, I’ve never come across an opportunity as important to Northeastern Minnesota’s economic future as copper-nickel mining. A significant economic base for this region is and will remain mining. The growth of this industry is critical to the long-term success of the region and will support a way of life for generations to come. The economic opportunity stretches from the environmental technician at the mine site in Hoyt Lakes to the engineering professionals in downtown Duluth.
PolyMet Mining’s proposed NorthMet project represents a continuation of our strong mining tradition. As the public comment period for the project’s Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement comes to a close, we are one step closer to bringing 360 full-time mining jobs to the Iron Range and more than 600 spinoff jobs in other industries.
These are career opportunities our young people need to support families. Too often in greater Minnesota we see empty storefronts, classrooms and industrial parks. Longtime residents are forced to move their families out of town to find work. This is the present, but it does not have to be the future; we can have thriving communities again.
Read more: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/293711/group/Business/
Grand Rapids Herald-Review
Opinion: Nancy Norr
After 25 years in economic development, I’ve never come across an opportunity as important to our region’s future as copper-nickel mining. The growth of this industry is critical to our long-term success and will support a way of life for generations to come.
As the public comment period for PolyMet’s Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement comes to a close, we are one step closer to bringing 360 full-time mining jobs to the Range and more than 600 spin-off jobs in other industries. These are career opportunities that our young people need to support families. In my travels in Northern Minnesota I still see too many empty storefronts and industrial parks. Without jobs, long-time residents are forced to move their families out of town to find work. This is the present, but it does not have to be the future – we can thrive again.
Read more: http://www.grandrapidsmn.com/opinion/article_e3b0ea22-a641-11e3-bb1f-001a4bcf887a.html
It’s Common Sense — Mining Is Good for All
Mesabi Daily News
Opinion: U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan
Common sense tells me Iron Range mining is good for our economy — achieving energy independence, creating jobs, and going “Green.”
The Duluth Complex and the Iron Range contain one of the largest untapped deposits of iron ore, copper, nickel, and other precious metals, on Earth.
Despite the rich deposits we have right here at home, we are still importing a third of all the copper used in America, and almost all of the nickel. That makes no sense.
Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/opinion/letters/article_56fe5d90-a1b8-11e3-922d-0019bb2963f4.html
New Generation of Mining Is Spark We Need
Mesabi Daily News
Opinion: Rep. Jason Metsa
Fortunately, we have an opportunity before us to forge a new, thriving economy on the Range — one that offers diverse, stable jobs that can’t be exported.
The untapped precious metals in our region — much like the natural resources my family benefitted from generations ago — will allow us to renew our position as a natural resource provider for the entire nation.
A new generation of mining is the spark we need to revitalize our regional economy right now and in the future. These companies require educated workers. They hire ecologists, environmentalists, geologists, chemists, and a slew of other professionals, and welders, electricians, millrights truck drivers and laborers to operate the new generation of stable and technological mining in Northeastern Minnesota.
Polymet Mine Environmental Review’s Comment Period Not Extended
Pioneer Press
Doug Belden
The comment period on an environmental review of what would be Minnesota’s first copper-nickel mine will not be extended past March 13, the state Department of Natural Resources said Thursday.
The DNR, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Forest Service, received requests to extend the comment period but concluded the 90 days allotted was sufficient, according to a letter from the three agencies. More than 19,000 comments have been submitted so far, officials said.