Nonferrous Mining Support Heard
Legislators, county, city officials unite in St. Paul
By KATY MEEKS - Legislative Correspondent - Mesabi Daily News
03/01/2012
ST. PAUL — “When the Iron Range hums, the rest of the state hums
with us,” Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFLVirginia, said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon in support of copper/ nickel/precious metals mining.
That was just the beginning of almost two dozen people who spoke in favor of the mining projects, saying that getting things going on the Range will benefit all of Minnesota.
The 2 p.m. news conference saw a slew of supporters from area legislators, mayors, county commissioners and those employed on and employers of the Range. And all spoke in favor of the
nonferrous mining opportunities that will boost jobs and the economy statewide
“This state needs more jobs,” Sen. David Tomassoni, DFL-Chisholm said. “If people want the economy to turn around this is where to start.”
Several copper/nickel/precious metals mining projects on the Range are in various stages of exploration and development, but mines will only move forward when they receive proper permits from both state and federal agencies. And while the permitting has
historically been a slow-moving process, recent legislation in both the House and Senate is working to speed things up.
“We need efficient permitting processes to get those (mining projects) off the ground as quickly as possible,” Sen. Tom Saxhaug, DFL-Grand Rapids said. “Then we can go full-speed
ahead.”
Rep. Tom Anzelc, DFL-Balsam Township, said the permitting process
is “evolving,” and meetings are happening on a weekly basis.
Area lawmakers are hoping to get statewide support, but they fear that a lack of knowledge among those unfamiliar with the Range and the mining processes has led to a belief that mining is unsafe and not environmentally friendly.
“We all live up there; if anyone wants clean air and water it’s us,” Rep. Carly Melin, DFL-Hibbing said during the news conference.
The legislators are not shy to point out that Minnesota has one of the strictest environmental review standards in the nation.
“This will be done right, safely and cleanly,” Tomassoni said.
“No one will get a permit without guaranteeing to protect the environment first,” Rukavina said. He said it would be wise for the entire state of Minnesota to support this because everyone would benefit.
Melin added that the metals extracted would be used by everyone in the form of cellphones, computers and more. “All devices we use need these precious resources,” Rukavina said. So if everyone is using them, why not help Minnesota in the process instead of
getting them from a third-world country, Melin pointed out.
Lawmakers aren’t the only ones vested in pushing mining proposals.
The news conference also welcomed Roger Skraba, Ely mayor, who
emphasized the integral part of mining in northern Minnesota.
“We have people coming to our community telling us what to do,” he
said. “And thanks, we know what we’re doing — we live up here, we know what’s going on.” Skraba said in a Tuesday press release
that he was looking forward to being in St. Paul to emphasize the overwhelming support for mining projects and the jobs they would bring to the cities and towns of the area.
Keith Nelson, chairman of the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners, stressed how important mining is to his constituents. “We can do this right,” Nelson said.
Frank Ongaro of MiningMinnesota said the companies are ready, but a few issues stand in the way. “Sulfide is just one issue,” he said after the conference.
Range lawmakers have said they all worry that some GOP legislators from around the state don’t understand how much mining could benefit all of Minnesota.
But Rep. Carolyn McElfatrick, R-Grand Rapids, who is the only Republican representing the Range, strongly supports environmentally-safe mining. “I am a Republican, and I am here
with them,” she said. She emphasized the importance of mining’s history, but also recognized mining’s future. “It’s our future and I’m looking forward to it,” McElfatrick said.
An important step in project progression is the tie between workers and management. “Good things happen when labor and
business management work together,” Anzelc said. He proclaimed his
confidence in nonferrous projects, but hopes they won’t turn fall to the wayside like has happened in the past. “We let it slip away in the ‘80s, let’s not let it slip away this time,” he said.
Range workers also support the “safe and responsible” projects. “These are jobs that are sustainable,” a construction worker said.
