Grand Rapids Herald-Review
Opinion: Nancy Norr
After 25 years in economic development, I’ve never come across an opportunity as important to our region’s future as copper-nickel mining. The growth of this industry is critical to our long-term success and will support a way of life for generations to come.
As the public comment period for PolyMet’s Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement comes to a close, we are one step closer to bringing 360 full-time mining jobs to the Range and more than 600 spin-off jobs in other industries. These are career opportunities that our young people need to support families. In my travels in Northern Minnesota I still see too many empty storefronts and industrial parks. Without jobs, long-time residents are forced to move their families out of town to find work. This is the present, but it does not have to be the future – we can thrive again.
Read more: http://www.grandrapidsmn.com/opinion/article_e3b0ea22-a641-11e3-bb1f-001a4bcf887a.html
It’s Common Sense — Mining Is Good for All
Mesabi Daily News
Opinion: U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan
Common sense tells me Iron Range mining is good for our economy — achieving energy independence, creating jobs, and going “Green.”
The Duluth Complex and the Iron Range contain one of the largest untapped deposits of iron ore, copper, nickel, and other precious metals, on Earth.
Despite the rich deposits we have right here at home, we are still importing a third of all the copper used in America, and almost all of the nickel. That makes no sense.
Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/opinion/letters/article_56fe5d90-a1b8-11e3-922d-0019bb2963f4.html
New Generation of Mining Is Spark We Need
Mesabi Daily News
Opinion: Rep. Jason Metsa
Fortunately, we have an opportunity before us to forge a new, thriving economy on the Range — one that offers diverse, stable jobs that can’t be exported.
The untapped precious metals in our region — much like the natural resources my family benefitted from generations ago — will allow us to renew our position as a natural resource provider for the entire nation.
A new generation of mining is the spark we need to revitalize our regional economy right now and in the future. These companies require educated workers. They hire ecologists, environmentalists, geologists, chemists, and a slew of other professionals, and welders, electricians, millrights truck drivers and laborers to operate the new generation of stable and technological mining in Northeastern Minnesota.
Polymet Mine Environmental Review’s Comment Period Not Extended
Pioneer Press
Doug Belden
The comment period on an environmental review of what would be Minnesota’s first copper-nickel mine will not be extended past March 13, the state Department of Natural Resources said Thursday.
The DNR, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Forest Service, received requests to extend the comment period but concluded the 90 days allotted was sufficient, according to a letter from the three agencies. More than 19,000 comments have been submitted so far, officials said.
Minnesota Power’s CEO Al Hodnik
Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna
Hodnik was effusive in his support for the PolyMet venture, that is currently in the supplemental draft environmental impact statement public comment phase.
“We are lucky to be a mineral-rich area. Minnesotans should be proud of our copper/nickel/precious metals deposits,” he said.
Hodnik also said he “doesn’t doubt for a minute” that the project will be successfully completed and producing jobs and paychecks for workers. “This is about our way of life. So, let’s get it done,” he said.
Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/news/local/article_45ab373c-9ddc-11e3-9716-001a4bcf887a.html