Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna

U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan will support a bill that would streamline the permitting process for mining of mineral resources such as copper/nickel/precious metals deposits on the eastern Iron Range.

The 8th District Democrat has received more than 200 calls on the issue, he said in a telephone interview on Tuesday. “It’ been fairly even.”

But the congressman cautioned that a victory for the bill in the House, which has a Republican majority, most likely will not translate into approval in the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats.

“They have not included the House Democrats in writing this bill. And they haven’t reached out to the Senate or White House,” Nolan said.

Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/news/local/article_624a05ea-2013-11e3-ab84-001a4bcf887a.html

Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna

A kickoff event for MINE II was attended by about 100 people at Zimmy’s in Hibbing Thursday. MINE II will be the second of quarterly publications on the importance — past, present and into the future — of mining to the Iron Range.

MINE II will be published in the four papers on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

The word MINE, in bold, strong letters, was chosen for this ongoing project because the impact of mining in all of our lives and communities on the Iron Range is so huge. Mining is by far the major economic driver of the region.

Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/news/local/article_0715c9f8-1c25-11e3-9396-001a4bcf887a.html

Hibbing Daily Tribune
Tony Potter

Known for its rich mining industry and history, the Iron Range economy is driven by its largest group of workers — miners.

The Iron Range Miners’ Expo Tool & Equipment Showcase, which starts today, focuses on the needs and interests of the miners.

“It’s for the miners,” said Debra McCauley, marketing and public relations for Minnesota Discovery Center (MDC). “It’s for employees to meet with distributors, mining companies and representatives. And it’s on the Iron Range — it’s where they live, work and play.”

The expo is free, and will be held at MDC from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12. A community reception sponsored by Aqua Power will be held from 4 to 9:30 p.m. today and feature exhibitors, networking and a happy hour.

Read more: http://www.hibbingmn.com/news/local/article_f57b1ff4-1a8a-11e3-b43d-0019bb2963f4.html

Hometown Focus
Dr. Kenneth Reid

Let’s start on a Monday morning. It’s 6:00 a.m. Time to get up!

Electricity to run your alarm clock comes through copper wires.

Copper comes from a copper mine. Copper sulfide minerals have to be concentrated to separate them from worthless minerals.

So, are minerals and mining important?

You betcha. Absolutely everything we depend on is either made from minerals or relies on minerals for its production and distribution.

Read more: http://www.hometownfocus.us/news/2013-09-06/Features/The_Importance_of_Minerals_and_Mining.html

Hometown Focus
Terry Jackson

Expansion of mining-related business outside the Range area provides stability within the Iron Range economy. As mining on the Iron Range developed, many spin-off businesses began to provide services and products to support the mining industry. Mining industry fluctuations resulted in many of these businesses expanding into other states and countries.

Congressman Rick Nolan recognizes the impact this has on jobs, growth and prosperity in Minnesota and across the nation. “The national and international growth of so many businesses originally born to serve the mining industry demonstrates once again how central and critical mining is to jobs and the quality of life they bring all across the Range,” said Nolan in an email exchange on the topic. “Quite frankly, it’s impossible to over-estimate the importance of a healthy mining industry as an economic driver for future generations of entrepreneurs who will create good paying middle class jobs and fuel the demand for goods and services throughout northern Minnesota.”

The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) plays an instrumental role in sustaining this growth. The Board works in conjunction with other state and federal agencies to connect local businesses with outside resources that can help identify what markets or other potential business opportunities could be available. Loans or loan guarantees for companies attempting to expand their business outside our region are also available.

Read more: http://www.hometownfocus.us/news/2013-09-06/Features/Local_exporters.html

Minerals Make Life

Minnesota is home to one of the largest undeveloped mineral deposits in the world, including copper, nickel, palladium, gold and more, which are vital to the production of hand-held electronics, advanced energy technology and hybrid vehicles – just to name a few.

These resources also offer Minnesota a unique economic opportunity. The Twin Metals Minnesota Duluth Complex could create jobs for generations: more than 5,000 construction jobs in addition to 1,300 full-time positions. And the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual wage for a Minnesota mining job is roughly $72,000, more than $25,000 higher than the all-industries average. Plus, the project will also generate tax and royalty revenue for state and local governments.

Recently, Hal Quinn, National Mining Association’s president and CEO, and Bob McFarlin, vice president of public and government affairs at Twin Metals Minnesota, took some time to discuss the project with the End of Road morning show on WELY 94.5 FM.

Read more: http://mineralsmakelife.org/blog/details/hal-quinn-discusses-twin-metals-with-wely-radio-in-minnesota

Star Tribune
Opinion: W.W. Bednarczyk

You want the jobs? The tax revenue? Or what?

It gets tiring to hear discussion of only the same old partisan arguments (“DFL leaders lay out agenda for session,” Aug. 30). May I submit that both parties get creative and think about an agenda item that supports new tax revenues and job creators instead of tax increases on existing revenue generators.

We as Minnesotans have a rare opportunity to unite and rally our representatives (state and federal) to give their political weight to PolyMet Mining in northeastern Minnesota. This should be nonpartisan and a no-brainer! No tax money, taxpayer financial risk or partner vetting, as with the Vikings stadium. All private investment and investor risk.

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/221865591.html?page=1&c=y

Star Tribune
Opinion: Joe Baltich

These days, everybody has a lot to say about mining, tourism and the northern Minnesota economy. Many from the Twin Cities area oppose an underground copper-mining proposal near Ely and have been trying to stop the project in its tracks.

One of their reasons for doing so is well-intended — they want to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The second reason is more self-serving — they want to protect it for whenever the day comes that they decide to pay a visit.

I felt that it is time someone actually from Ely explained our reality. We want to protect the BWCA all the time, and we also want to be a viable, vibrant community. It is hard to do that with outside forces trying to stifle economic activity.

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/221866181.html

Ely Echo
Tom Coombe 

With household income lagging far behind state averages, the downtown dotted by empty storefronts and school enrollments resting at a fraction of previous highs, a parade of Ely area leaders said Tuesday that it’s time to do more to spur job creation in the region.

That may include an alliance and perhaps even local government funding for Up North Jobs, a newly-formed nonprofit that’s promoting economic development in the region and fighting opposition to copper-nickel mining projects.

Gerald Tyler, who formed Up North Jobs two months ago and serves as its chairman and executive director, went before Ely council members during their monthly study session and was joined by representatives of several area governments and local entities.

Tyler said that Up North Jobs has joined a statewide coalition – Jobs for Minnesotans – and hopes to enroll 3,000 members over the next year.

Read more: http://www.elyecho.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=12903&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2

Business North
The Daily Briefing

Iron Range Engineering (IRE) has earned accreditation, which is being retroactively applied to all previous IRE graduates.

“The exciting news of Iron Range Engineering receiving ABET accreditation represents tremendous value to the business community in Northern Minnesota,” said Robb Bigelow, project manager at Magnetation, Inc. “The accreditation provides those of us in industry who are looking to find top-end engineering talent only more evidence that the students of IRE are ready to step through our doors and work at an extremely high and productive level.”

“The announcement of the accreditation is exciting news for northeastern Minnesota,” said Tony Sertich, commissioner of Iron Range Resources. “The Iron Range Engineering program is evidence of the IRRRB’s commitment in investing in education-based economic development. This program allows northeastern Minnesota to grow its own talent to meet the needs of our region’s economy.”

Read more: http://www.businessnorth.com/briefing.asp?RID=5522