![]() Yes, sulfide mining would be bad for our economy.” Grand Rapids Herald Review Protect the Boundary Waters Ely’s economy, which is based fundamentally on the wilderness and a healthy national forest, would be displaced and replaced with what Eveleth has. The last year the state of Minnesota reported gross sales revenues, Eveleth was $41 million a year. Eveleth is the size of Ely, and has Thunderbird mine within the boundaries of the city. “We already know what the economic impacts will be. They’re still moving millions of tons of rock from underground to the surface, and that’s not a harmless activity.” ĭavid Lien Co-chair, Minnesota Backcountry Hunters & Anglers commented on the economic impact of sulfide mining in the region: These companies say these new mines will be cleaner than the ones of the 1960s and ‘70s. “We absolutely believe that this issue is of national importance. If metal sulfide mining pollutes the Kawishiwi watershed as it has 40 percent of the watersheds in the western U.S., it will devastate our community and damage the Boundary Waters, our nation’s most popular and beloved wilderness area.” Twin Cities Blog April 17, 2013Ĭanoe trip outfitter Steve Piragis, who owns Piragis Northwoods Company told : “The South Kawishiwi River and the many lakes it flows through, including the one our lodge is on, is the lifeblood of our region’s tourism economy. Paul Schurke, co-owner of Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge with his wife Sue, said: ![]() ![]() “If mining commences, water pollution would threaten our businesses, including the dozens of resorts and canoe outfitters downstream from River Point, all the way to Voyageurs National Park and on to the Lake of the Woods. This 300 mile-long water rich recreational area from the South Kawishiwi River to the Manitoba border makes our region an eco-tourism treasure that must be preserved and protected from the toxic and destructive dangers of metallic sulfide mining. This is one of the world’s most special places, and as such, sulfide metal mining is totally incompatible with it.” American Rivers “Visitors do not come here to listen to the drone of drills and heavy equipment going on across the lake in an area considered “ground zero” for sulfide mining exploration. in Ely, Minnesota discussed the impact that mining would have on their local business with American Rivers in May 2013: Jane and Steve Koschak, owners of River Point Resort & Outfitting Co. It is the gravest threat the Boundary Waters has ever faced.” MINNPOST Feb 13, 2014 This is about the creation of an industrial corridor of mines, mills, roads, rail lines and all the rest at the edge of the Boundary Waters, and in some of the best loved places for outdoor recreation and wilderness experience across the national forest….We are talking about a massive, mining industrial complex that will last for hundreds of years. “This is not just about one mine, or two. Local businesses and citizens who have strong connections to the Boundary Waters and rely on revenue generated by tourism have voiced strong opposition to the proposed sulfide mines within the Superior National Forest.īecky Rom, leader of Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness’ Boundary Waters Watershed Campaign gave her perspective on the proposed Twin Metals Mine. Baker, Ph.D., has determined that, “the potential impacts of the proposed mine are high because this is a very large mine located in an ecologically sensitive area,” and “rivers and lakes in this region are poorly buffered, making them highly sensitive to acidic mine drainage (AMD).” Strong Opposition to Sulfide Mining ![]() A University of Minnesota scientist, Lawrence A. The proposed Twin Metals Mine poses a significant and persistent risk to water quality and, in turn, the economic and ecological health of the region. When sulfide minerals are exposed to air and water, they react to form sulfuric acid in a process known as acid mine drainage, which is highly toxic to fish and other aquatic life if uncontrolled. In 2010, acid mine drainage containing copper and arsenic had already been documented in a sulfide mining exploration site 15 miles southeast of Ely, MN near the South Kawishiwi River. In northern Minnesota, copper, nickel, and other metals are embedded in rock that contain sulfide.
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