Photo by Andrew Link via Instagram
At least 40 people have been arrested in Winona during a protest of frack sand mining.
Protesters gathered at an intersection Monday and then walked to the commercial harbor and a sand processing plant on Winona’s west end.
via Winona Daily News.
River restoration and protection group American Rivers has placed the South Kawishiwi River in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on a list of 10 most endangered rivers in America.
THREAT: Copper and nickel mining
AT RISK: Recreation economy, drinking water, and wilderness
The 1.1 million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is the most popular wilderness area in the country. The South Kawishiwi River, which flows into the Boundary Waters, is threatened by copper-nickel mining proposals by Twin Metals Minnesota and others on adjacent unprotected public lands. (more…)
Many of the world’s metal mines are close to protected areas, scientists report in Biological Conservation. That’s worrisome news because the environmental degradation caused by mining can stretch for miles.
Copper, nickel and precious metals can be safely mined in Northeastern Minnesota, U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan said Thursday in Duluth, lending his support to the nonferrous project proposed by PolyMet. (more…)
Changes could allow open pit mine in northern Wisconsin
Health department seeks potential for groundwater contamination at the site.
Lime Township’s next decision on the Jordan Sands silica sand mining project has been delayed until May after the company asked for 60 extra days to respond to public comments on an environmental study.
Jordan Sands asked for the delay to thoroughly answer questions about the study, CEO Scott Sustacek said.
“We think we can cover all the comments and questions that came up,” he said.
Fifty-two people and agencies submitted more than 130 pages of comments on the study, said Beth Proctor, a 3rd Avenue resident who lives near the proposed mine.
via Mankato Free Press.
As the mining of frac sand in Minnesota is debated at the state capitol, Minnesota Public Radio News is hosting an online chat that looks at silica sand mining in the upper Midwest. We’ll hear from reporters from around the region — and the country to get a feel for what’s happening. Join the conversation Tuesday at noon.
(more…)
Permitting decisions are on hold while the review is underway.
Minnesota Sands bows to state pressure, in a move that could set a precedent for growing industry.
via Star Tribune.
Minnesota Industrial Sand Council clashes with those concerned about harm to air and water at legislative hearing.
Small governments in southeastern Minnesota seek state help on studying and regulating mining, with calls for a moratorium.
via Star Tribune.
It is common for city leaders to wear more than one hat, but Red Wing Mayor Dennis Egan’s new job as an advocate for sand mining is raising concerns over his ability to lead the city in a manner that serves the public interest.
[The mayor's move is] triggering consternation in his hometown just as it begins considering what position to take in a sand-mining debate that is emerging at the State Capitol.
Egan said Tuesday he sees no conflict of interest and won’t step down while he works as executive director of the Minnesota Industrial Sand Council.
But Red Wing City Council President Lisa Bayley, a lawyer, said she has received many “complaints, questions and concerns” from residents about the mayor’s new job as a paid advocate for an industry that is at the forefront of local ferment. via Star Tribune.
“In a desperate effort to prevent foreclosure on his parents’ farm, Kyle Slaby applied to his local township board last year for permission to mine frac sand. He dreamed of erasing more than $600,000 in debt and getting rich from deposits of high-grade crystalline silica, which is in hot demand because of the national boom in hydro-fracking for oil and gas.
“What he never saw coming, he says, was one of the township’s three elected officers derailing his plan — and then going into the sand business himself.
Photo of Hibbing Taconit’s Hull-Rust Mahoning mine in Hibbing, Minn. by Lars Hammar via Flickr
“The open-market price for taconite dropped nearly $80 a ton over the past two years, global demand for ore and steel is sluggish, and at least one Minnesota producer is planning to scale back in 2013.
“But, despite some signs of trouble, Minnesota’s taconite plants are on pace to produce slightly more of the concentrated iron ore in 2012 than they did the year before — 39.2 million tons, up a bit from 39 million, said Bob Wagstrom, who tracks taconite production for the Minnesota Department of Revenue,” via Duluth News Tribune.
“But questions remain on the potential pollution from mining on the edge of the Boundary Waters,” via Star Tribune.
The company that controls mining rights to 32,000 acres on the doorstep of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area said Tuesday that the land contains 19 percent more copper, gold and palladium than it previously estimated, making Minnesota home to one of the world’s largest deposits of precious metals.
“These are not minor mineral holdings,” said Bob McFarlin, vice president for government and public affairs for Twin Metals, a partner in the planned project, which released the results of the new geological analysis. “The state is sitting on an absolute economic juggernaut for generations to come.”
“A Houston County frac sand mine won’t be allowed to operate during the county’s moratorium, a judge has ruled.
“Wabasha County Judge Terrence Walters ruled late last week not to lift a stop work order issued by Houston County for the mine, known as the Erickson Quarry and located a few miles southeast of Rushford,” via Winona Daily News.
