March 3, 2010
The latest from Charles Duhigg’s “Toxic Waters” series in the New York Times shows that, while Clean Water Act violations are rapidly rising, enforcement actions are declining at the same quick pace. Part of the problem comes from recent US Supreme Court decisions that have exempted many of the nation’s waterways from protection under the Clean Water Act.
Not many are getting the message. A recent editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune supporting PolyMet’s controversial NorthMet project claims that environmental laws are strong and are vigorously enforced. Only four days after the Tribune’s confident editorial, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a strong critique of the environmental review of PolyMet’s project, giving it the lowest possible rating, “environmentally unsatisfactory-inadequate,” and recommending the mine “must not proceed as proposed.” Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by LSMN
February 23, 2010
US Senator and comedian Al Franken is one of PolyMet's staunchest supporters
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a strong critique of an environmental review of PolyMet’s proposed NorthMet mine, located outside of Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, and is recommending the mine “must not proceed as proposed.”
According to the agency, PolyMet’s project “may have substantial and unacceptable adverse impacts on aquatic resources of national importance.” The criticism comes months after a slew of state and federal politicians issued statements of support for the project, assuring the public and media the review was rigorous and the mine would not harm the environment.
In a December 9 support letter for PolyMet US Senator Al Franken told the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) the project should be approved:
“Throughout this multi-year process, PolyMet has done their due diligence and has faithfully followed the law. This includes providing all the necessary information for the draft environmental impact statement (EIS). The resulting draft describes the many steps PolyMet will take to minimize environmental impacts.” Read the rest of this entry »
2 Comments | Minnesota, PolyMet, public land, water pollution | Tagged: Minnesota, PolyMet, public land, water pollution | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
January 25, 2010
PolyMet plans to purchase this processing site; reportedly, Cliffs would maintain a roughly 7% stake in PolyMet's proposed NorthMet project
Three groups today announced their intent to file a lawsuit against Cliffs Erie, a subsidiary of Cliffs Natural Resources, for ongoing water pollution from previous taconite iron mining at three sites on Minnesota’s Iron Range. PolyMet Mining Co. plans to utilize two of the sites in order to dispose of wastes from its proposed metallic-sulfide NorthMet project. As part of a purchase agreement, Cliffs would maintain a roughly 7% stake in the project. The other Cliffs site, at the old Dunka Mine, is closer to Franconia Minerals and Duluth Metals’ proposed sulfide projects.
A news release issued by the Center for Biological Diversity noted that, “according to Cliffs Erie’s own monitoring reports, there are numerous ongoing violations of water-quality laws relating to management of the former LTV tailings basin. PolyMet’s proposal for its copper-nickel mine is to pile its own tailings waste on top of those from a former taconite mine that are still polluting.” Read the rest of this entry »
2 Comments | Cliffs Natural Resources, Duluth Metals, Law, Minnesota, PolyMet, water pollution | Tagged: cliffs, Duluth Metals, Law, Minnesota, PolyMet, water pollution | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
December 13, 2009
Elanne Palcich – Chisholm, Minnesota
I was one of several hundred orderly and attentive people who attended the PolyMet Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) hearing in Aurora, Minnesota on December 9. Contrary to what PolyMet states, there is no hostile environmental movement against jobs in northern Minnesota. However, there are people who question the environmental footprint that metallic sulfide mining will leave behind. Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | DNR, Minnesota, PolyMet | Tagged: economy, metallic sulfide mining, Minnesota, PolyMet | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
December 12, 2009
As the result of tightly-controlled verbal public comment, few participated in that part of the PolyMet DEIS process; Photo courtesy Lori Andresen
Hundreds of PolyMet Mining Company supporters were bussed to public meetings in Aurora and Blaine to provide comments on the company’s draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the proposed NorthMet project. The organizing effort was combined with a public relations blitz of endorsements from Minnesota state and federal politicians -including the late endorsement of Senator Al Franken – the Minnesota AFL-CIO, construction groups and the Chamber of Commerce. Despite the large turnout, the public was unable to speak at either meeting.
“The ‘public hearings’ didn’t actually allow public comments to the audience,” said retired miner, Bob Tammen. “The only oral comments allowed were by individuals to stenographers in a tightly monitored room separate from the auditorium. That meant that the only outside speakers allowed were Iron Range legislators.”
Citizens wanting to give verbal public comment registered here in order to speak, privately, with a stenographer; Photo courtesy Lori Andresen
In a new public hearing format, described as “enhanced” by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), public comments were severely restricted with the only speakers allowed to voice opinions on the project being staunch political supporters of PolyMet’s NorthMet proposal. State Senator David Tomassoni and State Representative Thomas Rukavina gave speeches at the hearing in Aurora, on Wednesday, while State Senator Thomas Bakk chimed in at the Blaine hearing, the following day. Read the rest of this entry »
1 Comment | economy, lake superior, Minnesota, public land, water pollution | Tagged: "Sustainable Mining", dnr, economy, Minnesota, PolyMet, water pollution | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
December 7, 2009
ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel producer – Britain’s richest man, Lakshmi Mittal, owns 43% of the company – may benefit from a £1 billion European carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS).
ArcelorMittal owns a 21% stake in Cliffs Natural Resources’ Empire Mine, located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and a 62.3% share in Cliffs’ Hibbing Taconite facility. Cliffs’ has been taking some heat from Minnesota steelworkers for deals reached with ArcelorMittal that workers say are costing them their jobs. The company is expected to recall workers soon. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by LSMN
December 2, 2009
At a recent meeting in Ely, Minnesota a mining company actively exploring the state for metallic sulfide ore bodies expressed opposition to a project that would allow residents to better understand water quality in the area. If the mining industry can’t stop it, the project would represent a significant investment for remote Lake County and could help ensure that the area’s lucrative tourism industry remains intact for years to come.
Bob and Pat Tammen Canoe on Birch Lake; Photo courtesy Lori Andresen
On November 19, the White Iron Chain of Lakes Association (WICOLA) outlined plans before the Lake County Board for an extensive water testing effort of the Kawishiwi River watershed in order to locate pollution sources and prevent future pollution. The project would be funded with $500,000 from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and could possibly attract matching funds. Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Duluth Metals, Film, gold, lake superior, Minnesota, public land, water, water pollution | Tagged: Duluth Metals, Film, Minnesota, pollution, water, water pollution | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
October 31, 2009
Duluth Metals, a company quietly but rapidly assessing the mineral value of a gold, copper, platinum and paldium deposit outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, claims that additional drilling has located even more metal than previously.
The incredibly water-rich area, highly valued by the State of Minnesota for tourism, has attracted a number 0f projects in addition to Duluth Metals’ Nokomis Project, many located on public land, in the Superior National Forest.
Franconia is hoping to mine directly underneath Birch Lake; PolyMet has recently submitted a draft Environmental Impact Assessment for it’s massive proposed NorthMet Project, located in a large wetland area; and Kennecott has been exploring further south, in Aitkin and Carlton counties.
In 2006, Aitkin County, Minnesota, refused to allow Kennecott exploration access. Never a company that allows the opinion of local citizens to get in its way, Kennecott sued the county and continued with exploration.
Leave a Comment » | Duluth Metals, Franconia, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, Minnesota, PolyMet, public land | Tagged: Duluth Metals, Franconia, Kennecott, Minnesota, PolyMet, Rio Tinto | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
August 12, 2009
Teresa Bertossi – Marquette, Michigan
I am writing to inform you about the second annual Protect the Earth Great Lakes Community Gathering that took place Aug. 1-2.
It was empowering, and I wish you all could have experienced being there or at the very least heard about it in your local newspaper. Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Michigan, Minnesota, Native American, Ontario, Rio Tinto, water, Wisconsin | Tagged: flambeau mine, metallic sulfide mining, Michigan, Minnesota, native american, ontario, water, Wisconsin, yellow dog summer | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
April 2, 2007
by Gabriel Caplett
According to the Minnesota DNR, roughly a dozen mining companies are currently exploring for nonferrous metals in Northeastern Minnesota’s Duluth Mafic Complex.[1] The Duluth Complex is the largest undeveloped nonferrous deposit in the United States and borders the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.[2]
PolyMet Mining Corp.’s NorthMet project, south of Babitt, is the largest undeveloped nonferrous mineral deposit in the US. The company owns a 100% leasehold interest in the 4,162 acre complex.[3] NorthMet is expected to commence extraction of platinum, palladium, gold, copper, nickel, cobalt, and silver in 2008.[4] Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Cliffs Natural Resources, Duluth Metals, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, Minnesota, PolyMet, public land, workers | Tagged: cliffs, Duluth Metals, Minnesota, PolyMet, Rio Tinto, workers | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
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