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.

Read more: http://www.hometownfocus.us/news/2013-09-27/Features/Miners_Expo_at_MDC_Year_two_was_even_bigger_and_be.html

Duluth News Tribune
Opinion: Senator Dave Brown

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to tour the proposed PolyMet mine site near Hoyt Lakes. PolyMet would like to reopen a former taconite mine for copper and nickel. Not knowing much about the mining industry in general, I was curious about the new jobs, tax revenue and other opportunities that could be generated for the state.

The staff members at PolyMet are lifelong Iron Rangers proud of their northern Minnesota mining heritage. They are avid outdoors enthusiasts who enjoy hunting, fishing and frequent trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. PolyMet has put together an experienced mining staff with strong and loyal employees who represent the best of Minnesota.

Refurbishing the PolyMet site will cost about $475 million and take about 2 million working hours. This is about the same as building Target Field, the new baseball stadium in Minneapolis. New jobs will be for carpenters, laborers, operating engineers and teamsters. Once the buildings and equipment are repaired and refurbished, the plant will have about 360 jobs that will pay $26 to $32 per hour year-round, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Over the 20-year life of this proposed project, it is estimated to generate $720 million in wages and benefits, $300 million in state and local government taxes and $10.3 billion for St. Louis County.

Obviously, all mining operations have environmental concerns. But as I noted earlier, many of the people currently working for PolyMet in Minnesota are Iron Rangers. I do not believe they would jeopardize their way of life and favorite pastimes.

Read more: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/278933/

Grand Rapids Herald-Review

“We are confident that Minnesota’s new mines will be built in an environmentally responsible manner and more importantly, offering an unprecedented opportunity for Minnesota to build the green economy of the future,” said Harry Melander, president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council and co-founder of Jobs for Minnesotans.

“Why are we so confident? These projects will be reviewed by more than six federal and state agencies, including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. They will literally be the “greenest” mines in the world because they will use 21st century technology and re-use Minnesota’s existing mining infrastructure,” Melander continued.

Read more: http://www.grandrapidsmn.com/opinion/article_53ef5232-222c-11e3-94bc-001a4bcf887a.html

Mesabi Daily News
Editorial

Two key Minnesota members of Congress stood up for mining on the Iron Range recently. We applaud their efforts in Washington.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar took on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ regarding their permitting process.

She urged the agency to speed up its permitting review for Minntac’s expansion project, which needs a hurry-up from federal officials.

Meanwhile, 8th District Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan supported a Republican-sponsored bill that would streamline the permitting process for rare earth minerals used in telecommunications, military technology, health care and energy.

That is vital to the Iron Range because PolyMet and Twin Metals copper/nickel/strategic metals projects would benefit.

Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/opinion/editorials/article_1be45664-2329-11e3-b551-001a4bcf887a.html?_dc=795854491647.3329

Mesabi Daily News
Charles Ramsay

One of the main backers of a state group supporting more mining jobs in Northeastern Minnesota sees passage of H.R. 761 in the U.S. House as vital to the area’s economy.

“This is getting us one step further in creating job opportunities,” Jobs for Minnesotans co-founder Harry Melander said in a phone interview Thursday. He is president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council.

The group had mounted a campaign urging supporters of mining to call their elected officials to vote for the measure, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013, which would revise and streamline permitting for mining activities.

“We’re very appreciative of those who helped,” Melander said.

Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/news/local/article_93fc2e1a-232e-11e3-8c9f-001a4bcf887a.html