Power Costs a Threat to Range Mines
Hibbing Daily Tribune
Julis Van Susternen
Last Monday, a bill was introduced before the House Committee on Mining and Outdoor Recreation Policy which would seek to have energy-intensive industries, such as mining and manufacturing industries, to be able to negotiate the rates they pay for power to be more competitive.
Many industries pertinent to the Iron Range are known as “energy-intensive trade-exposed customers,” which implies that such businesses would be eligible for certain exemptions because of the nature of their service.
David Lislegard, Aurora city councilor and Jobs for Minnesotans advocate, said the bill allows for energy-intensive industries in the Iron Range to remain competitive, thus protecting the business from financial losses that could potentially lead to job cuts.
Kennecott Plans More Mining Exploration in Aitkin County
Duluth News Tribune
John Myers
Kennecott Exploration Company is expanding its search for copper in the Tamarack area of Aitkin County.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reported Thursday that Kennecott will begin exploration at 12 sites where it has leased exclusive rights to search for copper, nickel and other valuable metals.
According to a statement from the DNR, the company has proposed to complete a ground-based gravity or geophysical survey as opposed to drilling. The DNR describes the gravity survey as “a non-invasive measurement using a sensor of the size of a large coffee pot to passively measure the earth’s gravity field.”
Hands-on Industrial Education at Mesabi Range College
Hibbing Daily Tribune
Angie Riebe
Sean Pelkey recalls helping his dad with rudimentary welding projects in his garage when he was just 7 years old.
The Mesabi Range Welding program student today plans to open a “small-time repair and fabrication shop out of my own garage.”
But he is also working as a “temp to hire” at Joy Global, Inc., in Virginia, a company that services the mining industry’s heavy equipment.
Pelkey and many of his fellow students in the college’s Welding, Industrial Mechanical Technology (millwright), and Process Automation Systems programs will be part of a workforce that is either directly or indirectly related to mining.
Career Path in Mining Country: ‘I Can Do That’
Mesabi Daily News
Angie Riebe
Bryan Harp grew up in Aurora, the son of a miner.
It was never his own dream to go into mining. Yet, his career path has been tied to the industry for years.
He thoroughly enjoys his current work.
It’s work that, in fact, at one time he didn’t even know existed.
Mining and Higher Education
Hometown Focus
Jean Cole
High schools students in the region who are interested in exploring career options in mining and mining-related fields can do so through the Applied Learning Institute (ALI). ALI is a partnership between the five community colleges of the Northeast Higher Education District (NHED) and 22 northeast Minnesota high schools whose purpose is to return and expand technical education opportunities in our high schools.
It’s an opportunity for secondary students to explore a career path, and earn college credit, while still in high school. ALI has six program areas, but we’re talking mining here today, so I’m focusing on their Industrial Technology program.
Read more: http://www.hometownfocus.us/news/2015-02-20/Mining_Features/MINING_and_HIGHER_EDUCATION_003.html