Support the Timberjay by making a donation.

Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Copper-nickel mines won’t be regulated, either

Posted 4/19/17

Citizens and organizations who desire copper-nickel mining in northeastern Minnesota should be in the vanguard of those who demand that U.S. Steel obey the law regarding its toxic discharges from the …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Copper-nickel mines won’t be regulated, either

Posted

Citizens and organizations who desire copper-nickel mining in northeastern Minnesota should be in the vanguard of those who demand that U.S. Steel obey the law regarding its toxic discharges from the Minntac tailings basin. U.S. Steel, with the crucial aid of Iron Range legislators, has been brazenly flouting water quality regulations for over twenty years. This highlights two important facts that bear on the proposals of PolyMet and Twin Metals: first, the state of Minnesota is incapable of enforcing basic water protection regulations, and second, the owners of mining companies have no vested interest in doing the right thing on their own. If we can’t hold U.S. Steel to account, why would it be any different with the copper-nickel bosses? Short answer: it won’t.

Peter M. Leschak

Side Lake, Minn.