Policy Initiatives

Problem:

Hardrock mining, which includes non-ferrous sulfide mining, is the nation’s top toxic polluting industry, creating over two billion tons of toxic waste annually, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Mining corporations have set their sights on northeastern Minnesota, including sites near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and Lake Superior.

A mine proposal from PolyMet Mining Corp. received a failing grade from the EPA due, in part, to long-term pollution problems that were predicted but not properly addressed in its plan. Two other mining companies, Duluth Metals and Franconia Minerals, are planning to develop projects at the edge of the BWCAW near waters that flow into the most popular wilderness area in the country.

In the same area where Duluth Metals is proposing to develop its mine, acid mine drainage was recently discovered from mining exploration that occurred 36 years ago. State agencies responsible for overseeing mining development have not cleaned up or even monitored this pollution for over 30 years.

Over the past several decades, Minnesota conducted two important assessments of the potential impacts of this kind of mining: The Regional Copper-Nickel Study (1979) and The Mining Simulation Project (1990). Both of these initiatives resulted in recommendations for protecting our water and taxpayers. Many of these recommendations have NOT been implemented.

Position:

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Department of Natural Resources should:

  • Enforce existing laws and regulations, including standards for sulfates.
  • Ensure the environmental review of non-ferrous sulfide mining projects include agency staff experienced and knowledgeable in natural resource protection.
  • Dedicate sufficient time and resources to environmental review and permitting.

State agencies should commit to implementing the following provisions:

  • Full transparency for the public in the setting, review and modification of financial assurance for non-ferrous sulfide mining projects.
  • Financial assurance that includes the costs of long-term, and possibly perpetual, water treatment.
  • Articulated forms of financial assurance that are acceptable, secure and fully available in case mining companies file for bankruptcy. Any non-ferrous sulfide mining that will pollute Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands or groundwater must not be allowed.
  • The Legislature should not pass any laws – and state agencies should not enact any rules – that weaken or eliminate Minnesota’s water quality standards, environmental review, or other laws that serve to protect the state’s lakes, rivers, streams, Great Outdoors and public health.

Download a PDF of the issue brief.

For more information on this issue, contact:

Betsy Daub
Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
612-332-9630
betsy@friends-bwca.org

Allison Wolf
Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
612-750-5449
awolf@mncenter.org

Patience Caso
Minnesota Environmental Partnership
651-290-0154
patiencecaso@MEPartnership.org

Gary Botzek
Minnesota Environmental Partnership
651-283-4511
gary@capitolconnections.com