Mining Group Poll Shows Copper-Nickel Mining Support
Duluth News Tribune
John Myers
A group organized to help push copper mining projects in northeastern Minnesota released the results of statewide polls Tuesday that shows support for copper projects here.
The poll of 603 registered Minnesota voters– paid for by Jobs for Minnesotans, which includes business, labor and civic leaders – found 48 percent support copper-nickel mining, while just 22 percent oppose it, and 31 percent didn’t know enough to say.
When Iron Range voters were polled, a full 70 percent supported copper mining, with 15 percent opposed.
“Overall, Minnesotans hold positive attitudes towards our state’s mining industry and the development of copper-nickel mining,” Harry Melander, Jobs for Minnesotans board member and president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council, said in a statement.
Read more: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/280004/group/Business/
Survey Backs Copper/Nickel
Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna
Mining, in all forms in Minnesota, has strong support, according to a survey commissioned by the Jobs for Minnesotans group.
“The bottom line is this: Minnesota voters support increased mining and are favorable towards the mining industry. While they rightfully care about protecting the environment, voters feel that the state’s existing regulatory system — including DNR approval for all new mining projects — is strong enough to ensure new copper/nickel projects will be done in an environmentally responsible way,” the Global Strategy Group, which did the survey and released the results on Monday, said in a news release.
“Overall, Minnesotans hold positive attitudes towards our state’s mining industry and the development of copper/nickel mining,” said Harry Melander, Jobs for Minnesotans board member and president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council.
“Minnesota has the opportunity to gain thousands of jobs through these mining projects. Support for copper/nickel mining not only demonstrates our state’s commitment to the mining industry but also the support for economic growth on the Iron Range and across the state.”
Survey Indicates Statewide Support for Mining
A new statewide survey, released today, indicates increased support for mining in Minnesota.
A majority of voters (56 percent) surveyed favor expanding Minnesota’s mining industry, with a plurality of voters (48 percent) supporting copper-nickel mining specifically. Only 22 percent of voters oppose copper-nickel mining while a third of voters (31 percent) don’t know enough about copper-nickel mining to say.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Oct. 8, 2013) – Jobs for Minnesotans announced today the results of a new statewide survey showing increased support for mining in Minnesota.
A majority of voters (56 percent) favor expanding Minnesota’s mining industry, with a plurality of voters (48 percent) supporting copper-nickel mining specifically. Only 22 percent of voters oppose copper-nickel mining while a third of voters (31 percent) don’t know enough about copper-nickel mining to say.
“Overall, Minnesotans hold positive attitudes towards our state’s mining industry and the development of copper-nickel mining,” said Harry Melander, Jobs for Minnesotans board member and president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council. “Minnesota has the opportunity to gain thousands of jobs through these mining projects. Support for copper-nickel mining not only demonstrates our state’s commitment to the mining industry but also the support for economic growth on the Iron Range and across the state.”
Voters express confidence in regulations on the mining industry and respect the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) ability to oversee new mining projects. A majority (51 percent) of voters think that government regulations on the state’s mining industry should either remain the same (35 percent) or be made less strict (16 percent).
“Minnesotans’ confidence in the DNR’s ability to oversee copper-nickel mining projects is clear across regional and demographic groups in the state,” said David Olson, Jobs for Minnesotans board member and president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. “Any new mining projects must demonstrate they will meet the standards and regulations put in place by federal and state agencies. While they care about protecting the environment, voters feel that these regulations are strong enough to ensure Minnesota’s environment will be protected as new mining projects develop.”
Copper-nickel mining projects are needed to provide the materials that are increasingly needed for every innovative technology or product that our economy produces. Producing raw materials in state allows Minnesota to produce the metals needed for the green economy with the strictest environmental and labor standards.
The survey was conducted by Global Strategy Group (GSG) and commissioned by Jobs for Minnesotans. The survey consisted of 603 interviews in Minnesota between September 2nd and 8th, 2013. An additional 200 interview oversample was conducted in Minnesota’s Iron Range region.
About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in October 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 55,000 workers and 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.
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Media Contacts:
Nancy Norr
nnorr@mnpower.com
218.590.6978
Harry Melander
harstpbt@mtn.org
651.224.9446
Miners’ Expo at MDC Year Two was Even Bigger and Better
Hometown Focus
Deb McCauley and Scott Stein
The second annual Iron Range Miners’ Expo Tool & Equipment Showcase at the Minnesota Discovery Center (MDC) in Chisholm took a major step forward as a premier, regional event this year.
The two-day event, held September 11- 12, drew over 90 local, regional and national exhibitors. It also drew something equally important — an engaged crowd.
“This event was designed for the iron miners and leaders in this industry,” said MDC Executive Director Lisa Vesel. “We wanted to create an event that showcased the industry and gave Iron Rangers an opportunity to see and learn about the available and latest equipment and technology.”
Over 2,500 people attended the event, a nearly 70 percent increase over last year’s inaugural expo. The numbers are a sign that the event has gained traction inside the industry and from the regional community. However, we need to continue to reach out and build relationships with key stakeholders in the mining industry and regional communities to better serve their needs.