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Image by Yinan Chen from Pixabay
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Journal of Science Policy & Governance | Volume 16, Issue 01 | April 13, 2020
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Policy Memo: Proposed Policy Action for the Twin Metals Mine Plan
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Nathan W. Stottler
University of Colorado Boulder, Masters of the Environment Graduate Program, Boulder, CO |
Keywords: sulfide mining; copper-nickel mining; wilderness area; Minnesota; NEPA; acid mine drainage; recreation economy
Executive Summary: The proposed Twin Metals mine located in the Superior National Forest near Babbit, Minnesota will produce highly toxic tailings that could leach contaminants into the Rainy River watershed. This could potentially cause environmental harm to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). However, the mine would provide long-looked-for jobs in a local economy beleaguered by a decline in iron ore production. It would also provide a domestic source of highly in-demand raw materials that are currently being supplied to the United States by foreign countries. After discussing the projected outcomes of four alternatives, this memorandum recommends the following actions: (1) The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) should convene a group of stakeholders to discuss methods for balancing mining and preservation. (2) The DNR should request that the United States Forest Service conduct a full, regional Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to determine the effects of mining adjacent to a Wilderness Area.
I. The problem
Copper-nickel mining would bring much-needed economic investment and jobs to the mining communities of Northwest Minnesota (the Iron Range), which have been slowly declining for the past half-century (Forgrave 2017). The proposed Twin Metals mine is projected to supply an estimated 700 jobs in a region that directly employs about 4,500 people in the mining trade (Bjorhus 2019). Creation of additional jobs in construction, food service, hospitality, and transportation (among others) are expected to follow (Fleming and Measham 2014).
Unlike the legacy iron ore and taconite mines that dominate the Iron Range today, copper, nickel, platinum, and cobalt (the primary minerals to be extracted at Twin Metals) are contained within sulfur-bearing rocks known as sulfides. Mining sulfides, extracting the metals, and then storing the tailings produces acid waste and sulfates that cause the release of heavy metals, including lead and mercury. Long-term storage of mine tailings may decrease water quality due to continuous acid mine drainage (Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, 1995).
Twin Metals would be within the Rainy River watershed, which leads directly into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), which was first singled out for preservation in 1902 due to its pristine forests, lakes, rivers, and habitats. The final protections surrounding the BWCAW were solidified in the 1978 BWCA Wilderness Act. Because of this legacy of preservation, the BWCAW is the nation’s most-visited wilderness area with over 250,000 visitors annually (Minnesota Historical Society 2019). It drives a robust outdoor economy in northern Minnesota by supporting hotels, resorts, guide services, outfitters, and more. Should the Twin Metals mine fail to contain its toxic wastes, these businesses would be in danger.
Unlike the legacy iron ore and taconite mines that dominate the Iron Range today, copper, nickel, platinum, and cobalt (the primary minerals to be extracted at Twin Metals) are contained within sulfur-bearing rocks known as sulfides. Mining sulfides, extracting the metals, and then storing the tailings produces acid waste and sulfates that cause the release of heavy metals, including lead and mercury. Long-term storage of mine tailings may decrease water quality due to continuous acid mine drainage (Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, 1995).
Twin Metals would be within the Rainy River watershed, which leads directly into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), which was first singled out for preservation in 1902 due to its pristine forests, lakes, rivers, and habitats. The final protections surrounding the BWCAW were solidified in the 1978 BWCA Wilderness Act. Because of this legacy of preservation, the BWCAW is the nation’s most-visited wilderness area with over 250,000 visitors annually (Minnesota Historical Society 2019). It drives a robust outdoor economy in northern Minnesota by supporting hotels, resorts, guide services, outfitters, and more. Should the Twin Metals mine fail to contain its toxic wastes, these businesses would be in danger.
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References
- Bjorhus, Jennifer. 2019. "What You Need to Know about Minnesota's PolyMet and Twin Metals Mine Projects." Minneapolis StarTribune, August 7, 2019.
http://www.startribune.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-polymet-and-twin-metals-mines/513211171/ - Fleming, David A. and Thomas G. Measham. 2014. "Local Job Multipliers of Mining." Resources Policy 41: 9-15.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2014.02.005 - Forgrave, Reid. 2017. "In Northern Minnesota, Two Economies Square Off: Mining vs. Wilderness." New York Times Magazine, October 12. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/12/magazine/in-northern-minnesota-two-economies-square-off-mining-vs-wilderness.html
- Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission. 1995. Sulfide Mining: The Process and the Price a Tribal and Ecological Perspective. GLIFWC.
- Lien, David A. 2019. "Conservationist's View: Copper mining puts clean water, wilderness at risk." Duluth News-Tribune, January 4, 2019. https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/4552410-conservationists-view-copper-mining-puts-clean-water-wilderness-risk
- Lovrien, Jimmy. 2019. "Twin Metals says it will use dry-stacking method to store tailings." Duluth News-Tribune, July 18. 2019. https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/energy-and-mining/3977298-Twin-Metals-says-it-will-use-dry-stacking-method-to-store-tailings
- Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. 1979. The Minnesota Regional Copper-Nickel Study. MNEQB.
- Minnesota Historical Society. 2019. MNOpedia. February 6. 2019. Accessed October 2019. https://www.mnopedia.org/place/boundary-waters-canoe-area-wilderness-bwcaw
- Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. 2019. “Copper-Nickel Studies and Non-Ferrous Mining”. May. Accessed October 2019. https://www.leg.state.mn.us/lrl/guides/guides?issue=coppernickel
- Twin Metals Minnesota. 2019. “About the Project.” Accessed October 2019.
http://www.twin-metals.com/about-the-project/
Nathan Stottler is pursuing a master’s degree in environmental policy, with a focus on energy policy and rural economies, through the Masters of the Environment program at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He previously worked as a Project Manager for LAI Design Group, a land planning firm in Denver, CO, and as a Designer for TBG Partners, a landscape architecture firm in Houston, TX. He graduated magna cum laude from North Dakota State University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design.
DISCLAIMER: The findings and conclusions published herein are solely attributed to the author and not necessarily endorsed or adopted by the Journal of Science Policy and Governance. Articles are distributed in compliance with copyright and trademark agreements.
ISSN 2372-2193
ISSN 2372-2193
