West Central Tribune
Frank Ongaro

On behalf of the strategic metals mining industry, I want to thank you for your thoughtful editorial “All Minnesota has stake in mining debate.” Minnesota does have incredible natural resources across the state, and we could not agree more with the absolute need to protect what matters most to all of us — clean air and water.

The Duluth Complex, a rich strategic metals deposit discovered more than five decades ago, runs near the same area that forms the Iron Range in northeastern Minnesota. Technology now available will allow for safe, efficient and economical extraction of the metals, including copper, nickel, cobalt, platinum, palladium, and gold.

These technological advancements, combined with the global need for these metals for use in everything from wind turbines to heart stents, presents an opportunity for our state and for the people who live here — to benefit from a new industry that will grow our tax base and sustain our communities for generations to come with the potential for thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

Read more: http://www.wctrib.com/node/1574936

Duluth News Tribune
Opinion: Frank Ongaro

From President Obama to Gov. Mark Dayton, elected officials have made jobs a top priority. In Minnesota, one thing is certain: There is no better opportunity for creating thousands of great-paying jobs, providing millions of dollars in tax revenue for local governments and generating more than $2 billion in royalties for our schools than the proposed copper/nickel strategic metals mineral development projects.

Mining already represents 30 percent of our region’s Gross Domestic Product (tourism is 11 percent). And, with the development of these strategic metals projects, we easily can double the size and benefit of the overall mining industry in Minnesota.

Fortunately, we can have these jobs and the spin-off economic benefits they bring — and an environment with clean air and water. There is no debate. We all want the same thing: clean air and clean water.

Read more: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/275468/group/Opinion/

Hibbing Daily Tribune
Anna Kurth

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed its review of the preliminary supplemental draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the development of Polymet’s Minnesota copper and nickel mine.

Polymet Mining President and CEO Jon Cherry made the announcement Tuesday during the Canada Connections business event held at Hibbing Community College.

Read more: http://www.hibbingmn.com/news/local/article_991f751e-0489-11e3-a51c-0019bb2963f4.html?_dc=686348126502.7076

Duluth News Tribune
Opinion: Hal Quinn

Despite the boon existing iron ore operations provide, Minnesota has yet to come close to realizing the full economic potential of its mineral resources. This is because an outdated and duplicative federal permitting process for minerals mines deters investors from developing projects here and keeps valuable state resources locked in the ground.

The same is true across the U.S. Our nation holds more than $6.2 trillion worth of key minerals that are not being utilized in large part because investors are hesitant to jeopardize their investments in the face of America’s lengthy and uncertain permitting process. Investors instead seek out foreign mineral projects that can be swiftly approved. In the process they pour money into foreign work forces and offshore manufacturing operations.

Read more: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/274859/group/Opinion/

Walker Pilot Independent
Dean Morrill

While Gov. Mark Dayton was out of state trying to bring jobs to Minnesota, three representatives from Jobs For Minnesotans were in Walker last week touting the strategic metals that are just waiting to be mined in northeast Minnesota.