31 Minerals Leases Approved
Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna
Mineral leases — 31 of them — for exploratory drilling in Northeastern Minnesota were approved by the Executive Council Friday after a more than 10-month delay.
The council, comprised of the state’s five constitutional offices, voted 4-1 to issue the leases to the highest bidders. Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr and his staff had recommended the leases be awarded prior to the council’s December 2012 meeting. Their recommendation held into this year.
At that meeting, the vote was 3-1 against issuing the leases, with only Attorney General Lori Swanson in favor and Gov. Mark Dayton, Auditor Rebecca Otto and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie supporting a delay. Lieutenant Gov. Yvonne Prettner-Solon did not attend the meeting.
Exploratory mining is about drilling holes in the ground to bring up core samples from which companies and developers can determine the potential profitability of a mineral deposit in that area.
Plain and simple, such drilling is not a mining project that requires greater environmental review.
Yet some environmentalists have used exploratory drilling to play their harassing game of delay to try to thwart legitimate mining activity.
That’s what is once again being attempted by some individual landowners who are supported by preservationist groups to try to block the awarding of 31 mineral leases for exploratory mining in the region.
Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/opinion/editorials/article_845739e8-3b8c-11e3-bb99-001a4bcf887a.html
Mining/Shipping: Mining Copper Backed in Letter
Mining Minnesota, A trade association for nonferrous mining, sent a letter recently to Gov. Mark Dayton regarding four questions put to him by anti-mining activists: Ensuring Minnesota’s waters are protected, that environmental safeguards are in place, that reclamation of minelands will take place after mining is done, and that taxpayers will be protected from any financial burdens.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have multiple water quality rules in place, requiring companies to have comprehensive controls for a quality air and water environment.
Mining Minnesota Executive Director Frank Ongaro also told the governor that companies have to show necessary funding in place and also have plans to prevent pollution and to fix any unforeseen situations.
Majority Committed
Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna
A majority of the five-member Executive Council will vote to approve 31 mineral leases at a meeting this week, which will pave the way for more exploration of copper/nickel/precious metals in the region.
Gov. Mark Dayton, Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner-Solon and Attorney General Lori Swanson told the Mesabi Daily News that they will be at Friday’s Executive Council meeting and vote yes on the issue.
Dayton’s support is critical to the leases moving forward. He had voted last December, along with Auditor Rebecca Otto and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, to delay issuing them. Swanson was the sole vote for approval. Prettner-Solon was not at the meeting, but has said she would have voted yes.
Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/news/local/article_cbdd42aa-3932-11e3-881f-0019bb2963f4.html
Reader’s View: We All Support Mining, and Mining Supports Us
Duluth News Tribune
Mary Tome
In his Oct. 13 commentary, Joseph Legueri claimed some of those on the Iron Range displaying “We Support Mining” signs are confused about what mining they are supporting. Hopefully I can bring some clarity to the confusion.
If you drink out of a glass, eat out of a bowl, brush your teeth, walk on a sidewalk, have windows in your home or scrub your sink with Ajax, you support mining. If you own a phone, use a computer, watch television or salt your popcorn, you support mining.
If you fish, canoe, drive a car, use a road, refrigerate your food or take a morning shower, you support mining — and mining supports you.
Read more: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/280832/group/Opinion/