Majority Committed
Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna
A majority of the five-member Executive Council will vote to approve 31 mineral leases at a meeting this week, which will pave the way for more exploration of copper/nickel/precious metals in the region.
Gov. Mark Dayton, Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner-Solon and Attorney General Lori Swanson told the Mesabi Daily News that they will be at Friday’s Executive Council meeting and vote yes on the issue.
Dayton’s support is critical to the leases moving forward. He had voted last December, along with Auditor Rebecca Otto and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, to delay issuing them. Swanson was the sole vote for approval. Prettner-Solon was not at the meeting, but has said she would have voted yes.
Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/news/local/article_cbdd42aa-3932-11e3-881f-0019bb2963f4.html
Reader’s View: We All Support Mining, and Mining Supports Us
Duluth News Tribune
Mary Tome
In his Oct. 13 commentary, Joseph Legueri claimed some of those on the Iron Range displaying “We Support Mining” signs are confused about what mining they are supporting. Hopefully I can bring some clarity to the confusion.
If you drink out of a glass, eat out of a bowl, brush your teeth, walk on a sidewalk, have windows in your home or scrub your sink with Ajax, you support mining. If you own a phone, use a computer, watch television or salt your popcorn, you support mining.
If you fish, canoe, drive a car, use a road, refrigerate your food or take a morning shower, you support mining — and mining supports you.
Read more: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/280832/group/Opinion/
“Go Polymet” New Awareness Campaign Promotes Non-Ferrous Mining
Go Polymet,” is the slogan of a new public awareness campaign to promote the future of copper-nickel mining in Northeastern Minnesota.
As part of its campaign, PolyMet has created “Go PolyMet dot com”, a website with details about its mining project and ways the public can support efforts to build a plant near Hoyt Lakes.
When fully operational the half billion dollar plant is expected to employ 360 mining and business professionals and hundreds more in spin-off jobs.
Minnesotans Malleable on Copper Mining, Polls Show
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
Jim Hammerand
Minnesota copper mining backers are pointing to a new state poll that shows support for copper projects.
The poll, commissioned by pro-mining group Jobs for Minnesotans, found 48 percent of Minnesota voters support copper nickel mining, 22 percent oppose it and 31 percent need more information to decide.
The poll contradicts a survey conducted by an anti-mining group that found slim opposition to copper mines but 40 percent who weren’t sure either way. Both polls pointed to a large share of undecided Minnesotans, who might be more informed when regulators release a revised environmental review of the PolyMet project later this year.
Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2013/10/10/minnesota-copper-mining-polls-pollution.html
Mining Group Poll Shows Copper-Nickel Mining Support
Duluth News Tribune
John Myers
A group organized to help push copper mining projects in northeastern Minnesota released the results of statewide polls Tuesday that shows support for copper projects here.
The poll of 603 registered Minnesota voters– paid for by Jobs for Minnesotans, which includes business, labor and civic leaders – found 48 percent support copper-nickel mining, while just 22 percent oppose it, and 31 percent didn’t know enough to say.
When Iron Range voters were polled, a full 70 percent supported copper mining, with 15 percent opposed.
“Overall, Minnesotans hold positive attitudes towards our state’s mining industry and the development of copper-nickel mining,” Harry Melander, Jobs for Minnesotans board member and president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council, said in a statement.
Read more: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/280004/group/Business/
Survey Backs Copper/Nickel
Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna
Mining, in all forms in Minnesota, has strong support, according to a survey commissioned by the Jobs for Minnesotans group.
“The bottom line is this: Minnesota voters support increased mining and are favorable towards the mining industry. While they rightfully care about protecting the environment, voters feel that the state’s existing regulatory system — including DNR approval for all new mining projects — is strong enough to ensure new copper/nickel projects will be done in an environmentally responsible way,” the Global Strategy Group, which did the survey and released the results on Monday, said in a news release.
“Overall, Minnesotans hold positive attitudes towards our state’s mining industry and the development of copper/nickel mining,” said Harry Melander, Jobs for Minnesotans board member and president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council.
“Minnesota has the opportunity to gain thousands of jobs through these mining projects. Support for copper/nickel mining not only demonstrates our state’s commitment to the mining industry but also the support for economic growth on the Iron Range and across the state.”
Survey Indicates Statewide Support for Mining
A new statewide survey, released today, indicates increased support for mining in Minnesota.
A majority of voters (56 percent) surveyed favor expanding Minnesota’s mining industry, with a plurality of voters (48 percent) supporting copper-nickel mining specifically. Only 22 percent of voters oppose copper-nickel mining while a third of voters (31 percent) don’t know enough about copper-nickel mining to say.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Oct. 8, 2013) – Jobs for Minnesotans announced today the results of a new statewide survey showing increased support for mining in Minnesota.
A majority of voters (56 percent) favor expanding Minnesota’s mining industry, with a plurality of voters (48 percent) supporting copper-nickel mining specifically. Only 22 percent of voters oppose copper-nickel mining while a third of voters (31 percent) don’t know enough about copper-nickel mining to say.
“Overall, Minnesotans hold positive attitudes towards our state’s mining industry and the development of copper-nickel mining,” said Harry Melander, Jobs for Minnesotans board member and president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council. “Minnesota has the opportunity to gain thousands of jobs through these mining projects. Support for copper-nickel mining not only demonstrates our state’s commitment to the mining industry but also the support for economic growth on the Iron Range and across the state.”
Voters express confidence in regulations on the mining industry and respect the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) ability to oversee new mining projects. A majority (51 percent) of voters think that government regulations on the state’s mining industry should either remain the same (35 percent) or be made less strict (16 percent).
“Minnesotans’ confidence in the DNR’s ability to oversee copper-nickel mining projects is clear across regional and demographic groups in the state,” said David Olson, Jobs for Minnesotans board member and president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. “Any new mining projects must demonstrate they will meet the standards and regulations put in place by federal and state agencies. While they care about protecting the environment, voters feel that these regulations are strong enough to ensure Minnesota’s environment will be protected as new mining projects develop.”
Copper-nickel mining projects are needed to provide the materials that are increasingly needed for every innovative technology or product that our economy produces. Producing raw materials in state allows Minnesota to produce the metals needed for the green economy with the strictest environmental and labor standards.
The survey was conducted by Global Strategy Group (GSG) and commissioned by Jobs for Minnesotans. The survey consisted of 603 interviews in Minnesota between September 2nd and 8th, 2013. An additional 200 interview oversample was conducted in Minnesota’s Iron Range region.
About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in October 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. This coalition represents businesses, middle class workers, labor, local governments and other supporters of job creation in the state of Minnesota. Jobs for Minnesotans was created to educate and provide information about the direct and ancillary job creation that the strategic metals mining can produce for the state.
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Media Contacts:
Nancy Norr
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978
Harry Melander
harstpbt@mtn.org
651.224.9446
Miners’ Expo at MDC Year Two was Even Bigger and Better
Hometown Focus
Deb McCauley and Scott Stein
The second annual Iron Range Miners’ Expo Tool & Equipment Showcase at the Minnesota Discovery Center (MDC) in Chisholm took a major step forward as a premier, regional event this year.
The two-day event, held September 11- 12, drew over 90 local, regional and national exhibitors. It also drew something equally important — an engaged crowd.
“This event was designed for the iron miners and leaders in this industry,” said MDC Executive Director Lisa Vesel. “We wanted to create an event that showcased the industry and gave Iron Rangers an opportunity to see and learn about the available and latest equipment and technology.”
Over 2,500 people attended the event, a nearly 70 percent increase over last year’s inaugural expo. The numbers are a sign that the event has gained traction inside the industry and from the regional community. However, we need to continue to reach out and build relationships with key stakeholders in the mining industry and regional communities to better serve their needs.
Opinion: Lawmaker’s View: PolyMet Will Revitalize Iron Range
Duluth News Tribune
Opinion: Senator Dave Brown
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to tour the proposed PolyMet mine site near Hoyt Lakes. PolyMet would like to reopen a former taconite mine for copper and nickel. Not knowing much about the mining industry in general, I was curious about the new jobs, tax revenue and other opportunities that could be generated for the state.
The staff members at PolyMet are lifelong Iron Rangers proud of their northern Minnesota mining heritage. They are avid outdoors enthusiasts who enjoy hunting, fishing and frequent trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. PolyMet has put together an experienced mining staff with strong and loyal employees who represent the best of Minnesota.
Refurbishing the PolyMet site will cost about $475 million and take about 2 million working hours. This is about the same as building Target Field, the new baseball stadium in Minneapolis. New jobs will be for carpenters, laborers, operating engineers and teamsters. Once the buildings and equipment are repaired and refurbished, the plant will have about 360 jobs that will pay $26 to $32 per hour year-round, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Over the 20-year life of this proposed project, it is estimated to generate $720 million in wages and benefits, $300 million in state and local government taxes and $10.3 billion for St. Louis County.
Obviously, all mining operations have environmental concerns. But as I noted earlier, many of the people currently working for PolyMet in Minnesota are Iron Rangers. I do not believe they would jeopardize their way of life and favorite pastimes.
Read more: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/278933/