Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna

U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan will support a bill that would streamline the permitting process for mining of mineral resources such as copper/nickel/precious metals deposits on the eastern Iron Range.

The 8th District Democrat has received more than 200 calls on the issue, he said in a telephone interview on Tuesday. “It’ been fairly even.”

But the congressman cautioned that a victory for the bill in the House, which has a Republican majority, most likely will not translate into approval in the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats.

“They have not included the House Democrats in writing this bill. And they haven’t reached out to the Senate or White House,” Nolan said.

Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/news/local/article_624a05ea-2013-11e3-ab84-001a4bcf887a.html

Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna

A kickoff event for MINE II was attended by about 100 people at Zimmy’s in Hibbing Thursday. MINE II will be the second of quarterly publications on the importance — past, present and into the future — of mining to the Iron Range.

MINE II will be published in the four papers on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

The word MINE, in bold, strong letters, was chosen for this ongoing project because the impact of mining in all of our lives and communities on the Iron Range is so huge. Mining is by far the major economic driver of the region.

Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/news/local/article_0715c9f8-1c25-11e3-9396-001a4bcf887a.html

Hibbing Daily Tribune
Tony Potter

Known for its rich mining industry and history, the Iron Range economy is driven by its largest group of workers — miners.

The Iron Range Miners’ Expo Tool & Equipment Showcase, which starts today, focuses on the needs and interests of the miners.

“It’s for the miners,” said Debra McCauley, marketing and public relations for Minnesota Discovery Center (MDC). “It’s for employees to meet with distributors, mining companies and representatives. And it’s on the Iron Range — it’s where they live, work and play.”

The expo is free, and will be held at MDC from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12. A community reception sponsored by Aqua Power will be held from 4 to 9:30 p.m. today and feature exhibitors, networking and a happy hour.

Read more: http://www.hibbingmn.com/news/local/article_f57b1ff4-1a8a-11e3-b43d-0019bb2963f4.html

Hometown Focus
Dr. Kenneth Reid

Let’s start on a Monday morning. It’s 6:00 a.m. Time to get up!

Electricity to run your alarm clock comes through copper wires.

Copper comes from a copper mine. Copper sulfide minerals have to be concentrated to separate them from worthless minerals.

So, are minerals and mining important?

You betcha. Absolutely everything we depend on is either made from minerals or relies on minerals for its production and distribution.

Read more: http://www.hometownfocus.us/news/2013-09-06/Features/The_Importance_of_Minerals_and_Mining.html

Hometown Focus
Terry Jackson

Expansion of mining-related business outside the Range area provides stability within the Iron Range economy. As mining on the Iron Range developed, many spin-off businesses began to provide services and products to support the mining industry. Mining industry fluctuations resulted in many of these businesses expanding into other states and countries.

Congressman Rick Nolan recognizes the impact this has on jobs, growth and prosperity in Minnesota and across the nation. “The national and international growth of so many businesses originally born to serve the mining industry demonstrates once again how central and critical mining is to jobs and the quality of life they bring all across the Range,” said Nolan in an email exchange on the topic. “Quite frankly, it’s impossible to over-estimate the importance of a healthy mining industry as an economic driver for future generations of entrepreneurs who will create good paying middle class jobs and fuel the demand for goods and services throughout northern Minnesota.”

The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) plays an instrumental role in sustaining this growth. The Board works in conjunction with other state and federal agencies to connect local businesses with outside resources that can help identify what markets or other potential business opportunities could be available. Loans or loan guarantees for companies attempting to expand their business outside our region are also available.

Read more: http://www.hometownfocus.us/news/2013-09-06/Features/Local_exporters.html