Our Views: A Fight Worth Fighting
Mesabi Daily News
Editorial Board
Mining advocates have asked over the last several months, “How do we fight it?” referring to the barrage of opposition to copper-nickel projects. It’s the $1 billion question concerning Twin Metals. Answering it will take a strong chorus of voices to show federal agencies how the project would serve as a leading economic driver for the Ely region, providing a small degree of diversification within the mining industry.
On Thursday the U.S. Forest Service hosts the first of what will now be two public comment hearings on a proposed land withdrawal from future mining leases. More than 234,000 acres are on the chopping block — for potentially 20 years — including acreage the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management already denied Twin Metals from exploratory access to research its concept for an underground copper-nickel mine.
The Range is in This Fight Together, for Our Hometowns
Mesabi Daily News
Arik Forsman
Fortunately, it’s not too late to join our fight and stand up for what’s right. Public comments are being taken until mid-August through a link at jobsforminnesotans.org or via email to the U.S. Forest Service (comments-eastern-superior@fs.fed.us). You’re also welcome to join us in Duluth from 5-7:30 p.m. in Symphony Hall at the DECC for the hearing in a show of support for mining.
Business North
Staff
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management have proposed the withdrawal of hundreds of thousands of acres of federal lands from mineral exploration and mining development.
Duluth News Tribune
Nancy Norr
Sometimes I wonder: Does the federal government know — or even care — that we in the Northland believe in a strong and fair regulatory process and remain committed to building economic prosperity for ourselves and our future generations?
That commitment was put in jeopardy on Dec. 15, a date that won’t soon be forgotten by Northeastern Minnesotans who fought for decades to bring good new jobs and lasting stability to the Iron Range and to the greater Duluth region. On that day, with the politically motivated stroke of a pen, the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management enacted a massive federal land withdrawal, a step that could effectively fence off from exploration and development for 20 years or more a vast, mineral-rich expanse of Northeastern Minnesota.
Star Tribune
Doug Loon and Harry Melander
As Minnesotans, we are all proud of the many economic strengths of our great state. From our diverse mix of industries, to our highly skilled and hard-working workforce, to our extensive natural resources, we have many assets that have sustained our state’s strong position economically. Included in this is the historically prominent iron mining industry that has played a vital role in the state’s prosperity for more than 130 years.
Today five iron mines are up and running on the Iron Range, which is wonderful. But the cyclical nature of global markets is a constant reality of life for families and businesses in the region. They know today’s relative prosperity is fragile, which is why they have worked so hard to diversify their economy.