West Central Tribune
Frank Ongaro

On behalf of the strategic metals mining industry, I want to thank you for your thoughtful editorial “All Minnesota has stake in mining debate.” Minnesota does have incredible natural resources across the state, and we could not agree more with the absolute need to protect what matters most to all of us — clean air and water.

The Duluth Complex, a rich strategic metals deposit discovered more than five decades ago, runs near the same area that forms the Iron Range in northeastern Minnesota. Technology now available will allow for safe, efficient and economical extraction of the metals, including copper, nickel, cobalt, platinum, palladium, and gold.

These technological advancements, combined with the global need for these metals for use in everything from wind turbines to heart stents, presents an opportunity for our state and for the people who live here — to benefit from a new industry that will grow our tax base and sustain our communities for generations to come with the potential for thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

Read more: http://www.wctrib.com/node/1574936