CEO: Twin Metals Preparing for Future Environmental Test
Mesabi Daily News
Jerry Burnes
The head of the parent company of Twin Metals Minnesota said this week he is forging ahead on environmental impact assessment preparation, with hope the Trump administration reverses a decision to revoke the company’s mineral rights on a project near Ely.
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A Twin Metals spokesman said Friday that the company hasn’t submitted anything formal, but said it is gathering data for a formal proposal “in late 2018 or early 2019,” said Bob McFarlin.
Pioneer Press
Rachel E. Stassen-Berger
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has moved from being “genuinely undecided” on the proposed PolyMet mine to being a genuine supporter.
PolyMet is a proposed copper-nickel mining project in northern Minnesota’s Iron Range that is now undergoing the permitting process. The process may still take a while — the final project may not be complete during Dayton’s term — but the governor’s favor may give comfort to supporters and dash the hopes of opponents. Dayton had been resolutely neutral on the project for much of his term.
Many along the economically stressed Iron Range have long-backed PolyMet’s plans for the open-pit mine’s promise of 360 permanent jobs and a revitalized mining industry.
Read More: http://www.twincities.com/2017/10/23/mark-dayton-supports-polymet-mining-proposal/
Duluth, Minn. (Oct. 18, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the extremist behavior by opponents to the Line 3 Replacement Project at the Duluth public hearing:
“Jobs for Minnesotans is appalled at the blatant display of extremist behavior at tonight’s Line 3 Replacement Project public hearing at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. The intent of the public hearing was to listen to the views of Minnesotans, and aggressive actions by a group of individuals made it impossible for members of the public, including many of our members, to participate in this important public process and share their views.
Tonight’s display of intimidation tactics jeopardized the integrity of the regulatory process and made it unsafe for people to remain in the room. This is not the type of behavior that we expect from our fellow Minnesotans. This was not passion, it was aggression. It is never permissible to shutter a public process through unprovoked hostile actions that cause people to be afraid for their well-being.
With the remaining meetings on the Line 3 Replacement Project scheduled for next week, we hope there still will be the opportunity for the respectful discourse of opinions without threats and violence.”
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
Office: 218.723.3905
Cell: 218.590.6978
Duluth News Tribune
John Myers
One week before public hearings begin on Minnesota’s proposed new rules for protecting wild rice from sulfate pollution, the state’s mining industry, Steelworkers and Iron Range officials and activists are restating their fervent opposition.
Critics say the new rule could cause increased regulation for taconite iron ore processing operations and some municipal sewage treatment plants.
Open Letter to Zinke and Perdue to Repeal Federal Land Withdrawal
Mesabi Daily News
Gerald M. Tyler
In April 2015, collaborating with anti-mining activists, Minnesota Fourth District Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced a bill to ban mining on all federal lands within the Rainy River Watershed of the Superior National Forest. In March 2016, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton, in collusion with the anti-mining activists, directed the Minnesota DNR not to authorize or enter into any new leases or state access agreements on state lands in the Rainy River Watershed of the Superior National Forest. Governor Dayton’s unlawful directive prohibits mineral development on approximately 147,600 acres of state owned lands. The 147,600 acres include 95,000 acres of Minnesota Public School Trust Lands. These lands are owned by the state in trust for all public schools of Minnesota. Revenues generated from school trust lands are credited to the permanent school fund managed by the State Board of Investment including royalty payments. The Governor’s wrongful and unlawful directive prohibiting mineral entry and development on School Trust Lands will deny Minnesota schools of millions of dollars of revenues to operate and maintain the public schools.