The Oct. 29 commentary from Bob McFarlin of Twin Metals was headlined “Twin Metals welcomes thoughtful discussion.”  Any discussion of sulfide mining in Minnesota should include reference to the Resource Curse.  That’s the economic theory that trying to build an economy on selling off non-renewable resources usually produces a lousy economy.  

We don’t need to take seriously the industry-sponsored UMD study Mr. McFarlin referenced to understand mining economics.  We just have to drive through Virginia, Minn., which has three operating mines within a rifle shot of the main street.  They’re losing population, they have a poverty rate in the high teens, and they can’t even keep their library open on Saturday.  How many copper mines will we need on the outskirts of Ely to achieve Virginia’s miserable failure?

 The remark about storing mine waste underground was also misleading.  When solid rock is crushed it expands, like popcorn.  Being the ore body averages less than one percent copper, it will be physically impossible to put all the waste back in the mine.  Before becoming a part of Twin Metals, Duluth Metals published a document indicating that they’ll need over three square miles of tailings pond within fifteen miles of Ely.  

We shouldn’t have any expectation that Minnesota regulations will protect us once sulfide mining gets permitted.  Lake Vermilion and the Saint Louis River both have elevated levels of wild-rice-killing sulfates and we only get progress towards a clean up when someone takes the mining companies to federal court.  Minnesota is an obvious victim of Regulatory Capture.  When  the mining industry hires former DNR and MPCA employees, you can be pretty sure the revolving door will benefit their bottom line rather than our natural resources.

Of course, the thoughtful discussion from Twin Metals didn’t include mention of tax rebates to mining companies.  Our schools are struggling but Minnesota can still find tax dollars to rebate to multinational mining corporations.

 Our need for metals to create a green economy is another phony talking point for the asset-stripping crowd.  Our metals are shipped out of state and then the Port of Duluth brags about all the windmills they’re importing.  The value-added jobs are created someplace else.  We need an accounting system that acknowledges that mining corporations are scavengers hauling away our assets and leaving us with mineralized public waters.

Mining promoters like to throw out preposterous job creation numbers and since they’re speculative, it’s difficult to refute them but I will acknowledge that mining does some real job creation. I’ve reached the age where my fellow miners are dying from mesothelioma and other lung diseases.  I’m grateful for the doctors and nurses and undertakers that tend to us during our final days and I acknowledge the contribution of mining corporations for creating those jobs.

Bob Tammen

Soudan, Minn.