Mesabi Daily News
Kelly Grinsteinner
A coalition of business, labor and community leaders, Jobs for Minnesotans members are committed to advancing job creation through responsible copper-nickel mining in Minnesota.
“Jobs for Minnesotans was created to educate and provide information about the direct and spin-off job creation that copper-nickel mining can produce for the state, and create a platform for individuals and organizations to speak up in support of mining,” explained Norr. “This coalition gives a strong voice for the people who support responsible mining — and the positive economic impact mining projects will create for future generations of Minnesota families.”
JOBS FOR MINNESOTANS STATEMENT ON RELEASE OF PRELIMINARY FINAL EIS FOR POLYMET’S NORTHMET PROJECT
St. Paul, Minnesota (June 23, 2015) – Yesterday’s release of the preliminary final environmental impact statement (EIS) for PolyMet Mining’s NorthMet project is an important milestone for the state of Minnesota. The more than 55,000 union members and thousands of business leaders statewide who are a part of Jobs for Minnesotans are encouraged that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been able to review the more than 58,000 public comments submitted last year and incorporate this public feedback into the preliminary final EIS.
“This is an enormous accomplishment on the part of the DNR,” said Nancy Norr, Jobs for Minnesotans board chair. “The environmental review process for the NorthMet project has been extremely thorough, and we have the utmost respect for the careful work the DNR, the U.S. Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers and all the cooperating regulatory agencies have done to ensure a safe and responsible project is brought to life that will bring jobs that sustain the continued economic recovery of the state. It’s time to keep moving this project forward.”
“Minnesota has the opportunity to be a leader throughout the world in the responsible development of copper, nickel and platinum group metals,” continued Norr. “Jobs for Minnesotans fully supports the NorthMet project and other projects that are still in the early stages of development, as well as the economic benefits these projects can bring to our state. Thousands of jobs in various industries would allow our families to flourish and provide high-quality career choices for future generations.”
The final steps in the environmental review process for PolyMet’s NorthMet project include the completion of the final EIS and an adequacy decision and records of decision, which are expected by the end of 2015.
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Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in October 2012 by Harry Melander of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 55,000 workers and the late David Olson of 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.
Media Contact
Nancy Norr
nnorr@mnpower.com
Office: 218.723.3905
Cell: 218.590.6978
We are feeling 1-2 economic squeeze in area
Mesabi Daily News
Editorial
Meanwhile, a key project that will diversify the mining industry in the region and create hundreds of new jobs — the PolyMet copper/nickel/precious metals mine at the former LTV Mining Co. site near Hoyt Lakes — still awaits final approval of its supplemental draft environmental impact statement before permitting can progress to clear the way for construction and production.
What’s at stake is 2 million hours of construction work, 360 permanent jobs and hundreds more spin-off positions.
Hibbing Daily Tribune
Nathan Bergstedt
At the Itasca County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, May 26, Commissioner Rusty Eichorn addressed the rest of the board regarding a resolution drafted by the Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, giving support for the proposed Polymet Mining NorthMet Project near the community of Hoyt Lakes. The board voted unanimously in favor of the resolution.
The resolution stressed the importance of the nonferrous ores that would be sought by the mining project, namely copper, nickel, cobalt, platinum, palladium, and gold, because of their utility in many modern products like cell phones, computers, and wind turbines. There is currently a very high demand for these metals that has far outgrown what recycling can provide. A study by the University of Minnesota Duluth Labovitz School of Business noted that nonferrous mining in Minnesota could annually bring $515 million in wages to workers in St. Louis County alone.
Duluth News Tribune
Opinion: Daniel Kingsley
Congressman Rick Nolan has come under fire for supporting future copper/nickel and iron mining operations in Northeastern Minnesota. Various groups and individuals have even gone as far as questioning his loyalty to his constituents and his fitness to serve.
Hard-working, middle-class families of the 8th Congressional District support Nolan’s views on mining. The entire legislative delegation that represents the Iron Range supports Nolan’s views on mining. Furthermore, both Minnesota U.S. senators, Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar, support Nolan’s views on mining.
Read more: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/letters/3744619-readers-view-nolan-listens-constituents-mining