The Next Generation of Mining: Protecting Our Environment. Creating Jobs. Demonstrating Global Leadership
Critical and strategic metals mining projects offer environmentally safe job creation
Minnesota companies care about the same environmental concerns addressed by all proposed legislation. These companies are working under the strict environmental regulations already in place to ensure all mining development and processing is safe for the health and wellbeing of Minnesota’s people, water, land and air.
Minnesota has some of the strictest environmental standards in the country. The state’s regulatory agencies work every day to protect our state’s natural environment through comprehensive research, permitting and monitoring processes.
Minnesota Regulatory Agencies already have all the authority necessary in statute and rules to assure air and water quality and financial responsibility. There is a comprehensive EIS and permit process in place with multi-agency, state, federal, tribal and public reviews mandated. Current rules were put in place in the early 90’s after many years of study and with input from all groups, including environmental groups. No additional legislative restrictions are necessary.
Critical and strategic metals mining projects can make Minnesota a leader in global responsibility
This mining would directly benefit Minnesota’s clean technology industry focus by creating the products these technologies need to succeed – copper, nickel and precious metals – products essential to the creation of local green technologies. Products that clean our environment and produce alternative energy, such as catalytic converters and wind turbines, and hybrid cars rely on these metals.
By mining and processing copper, nickel, and precious metals in Minnesota, we will also be doing our part to help reduce the global carbon footprint (approximately 80% of global copper is still produced via a smelter).
Instead of forcing production in countries with minimal environmental regulation, Minnesota could locally produce high-demand strategic resources such as copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum group metals using sound environmental practices.
Protecting State taxpayers with bankruptcy proof financial assurance
The State currently requires mining companies to have bankruptcy proof funds in place to cover all possible environmental clean-up costs before issuing a permit.
The state requires detailed review of all the cost of potential environmental exposure on an annual basis and adjusts the financial requirements accordingly.
The State has the authority to deny or revoke a permit if a company does not comply.
Critical and Strategic metals mining: the opportunity for significant job creation and revenue
During a difficult economic time for Minnesota, this is an opportunity to create jobs and revenue growth for the state without harming the environment – let’s welcome this investment?
New mining projects will bring thousands of environmentally safe, great-paying, enduring jobs and tens of millions of dollars to cities, schools, and the State.
The proposed mines alone will bring more than $1 Billion into the School Trust Fund for school districts all across Minnesota.
Minnesota needs to be supporting investment in job creation in our state, not banning industries that have the potential to create lasting, high-paying jobs.
$97 million in Royalties and Occupation Taxes, and over $90 million in Production Taxes that go to cities, schools, and counties were paid in Minnesota in 2008 by the iron mining industry. Non-ferrous mining would considerably increase the benefits of mining to the state, adding tens of millions of dollars in tax revenues each year.
Economic Stimulus that doesn’t cost the taxpayer a dime.
Learn more about the positive effects critical and strategic metals mining will have on the State.