Students take a deeper look at sulfide mining

TOWER- Copper-nickel mining upstream of the Boundary Waters is a controversial issue, and whether this mining will ultimately go forward remains an open question. Impacts on the environment versus the potential for high-paying mining jobs is currently being debated both in Minnesota and on a national level.
Students at Vermilion Country School were tasked with studying this issue, from the environmental, scientific, and economic standpoints, and their findings and opinions on the subject were on display at the school’s Environmental Expo on May 23.
The project is built on a year-long focus throughout the school on the history of mining, including that by Native Americans in the era before European settlement. Students learned about the historical importance and uses of copper as well as the chemistry associated with copper-nickel mining in a water-rich environment. The project was part of the school’s annual environmental education curriculum, and each year the students focus on a different theme.
Students, school staff, family, and friends attending the expo then judged the projects using the rubric the students had used to guide them while creating their projects. Students needed to be able to communicate their findings and beliefs during the expo presentations. In addition, each project had to show where they had found their information, using reliable sources.
Each project was required to have results from a water sample from an area lake, with its pH and sulfate levels noted.
Science teacher Sam Magnuson felt his students had done an “awesome” job with their projects, as well as their public speaking at the expo.
“They didn’t all have the same stance,” he said, noting the students’ upbringings gave them different views of mining and the environment.
“Some were strong advocates for the jobs that mining bring,” he said.
Students were very interested in the water sampling done, Magnuson said. “While most of the samples from the Tower harbor, area lakes, and homes came in at similar levels, one student got samples from a mine pit in Buhl that showed very high sulfate levels.”
All of the students this reporter spoke with, while very passionate about their own points of view and beliefs, spoke about how important it was to respect the beliefs of others.
“The BWCA is a raw, natural wilderness,” Ty Jue and Oliver Beise told a group assembled in front of their three-panel display, which also had a QR code linking it to a website they created. “Sulfuric acid is very poisonous to plants, wildlife, and people.” Oliver then noted the importance of informing people who haven’t been interested in this issue about the science involved.
“We don’t have to fight about our opinions,” added Addie. “In my opinion, we have lost feathers, fins, and tails. We have been very harsh on the planet.”
Addie would like to see more investment in clean energy, and repurposing of old mining sites.
“I had no idea about copper mining before I did this project,” she said.
“The BWCA is my life,” said Lana Carlson. “There has never been a mine that has not polluted the environment…You can’t support the jobs the mine would create if there is not clean water. It is more important to have clean water than the jobs.”
“They say mining has brought a large economic impact into the lives of many Minnesotans with jobs,” said Kai Contreres-Pieratos. “This is false due to all the outsourcing of machinery and the fact that many miners have lost their jobs.” Kai said that the employment projections for the copper-nickel mines have dropped dramatically from over 10,000 jobs to now about 1,000 jobs. He wondered if upgrading our communities, making them more tourism-friendly, and supporting families struggling with drug addiction would be a better use of our resources.
Amelia Swanson talked about the danger of increased mercury levels in our lakes due to acidification from mining waste.
“We can’t please everybody,” she said.
Jaymes Scholz talked about the importance of finding common ground.
“I like mining,” he said, “but don’t want to see copper-nickel mining in our area.” Scholz wondered if allowing increased logging in the Boundary Waters would create jobs and decrease fire danger, as well as create more wildlife habitat.
But other students focused on the importance of mining and the related economic activity to our area.
“Copper mining can be beneficial to the environment,” Scholz said, noting the importance of copper for renewable energy and technology. “But I don’t think we should destroy an entire ecosystem.”
Logan Kainz’s project outlined the timeline of copper mining, including the start of copper mining 10,000 years ago in the Great Lakes region.
Logan advocated for expanding mining in the area.
“Make mines all around so we can get more resources,” he said. “Everyone will see how good mining was and still is. Sure, mining does some pollution but so does every single factory…I think that we should make mining better than ever.”
Remy McDonough said keeping the Boundary Waters protected was a priority, but people should also “devote resources to trying to find a safer way to mine copper because it is very valuable. Remy noted that the Boundary Waters is “just a much more valuable resource for our community, not just for a tourist destination, but it is an important part of our economy.”
Many of the projects touched on the risks of mining versus the rewards.
“Only one percent of Minnesota jobs are mining,” wrote Tayden Gillette-Olson. “Less than three percent of Minnesota’s economic output is from mining. Over 1,000 bodies of water will be contaminated if there is a sulfuric acid leak. Acid drainage would be extremely harmful to all life in the area. The risk is greater than the reward.”
Addie Siebert titled her project “Boom or Burden.” “Why are we polluting our environment?” she asked.
The student’s projects will remain on display at the school through next year.