With a new investigation from the Biden Administration possibly shutting down a copper-nickel mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, those opposed and those for shutting down the mine are speaking up.
Rebecca Rom, the national director of Save the Boundary Waters Campaign, and Frank Ongaro, the executive director of Mining Minnesota, shared what the announcement will mean for their groups with News Talk 830 WCCO's Sloane Martin.
For the ban
The study, which could lead to a 20-year ban on mining near the Boundary Waters, is something that Rom said is needed.
"Yesterday's science-based decision is a significant win for Boundary Waters protection," Rom said. "You don't allow America's most toxic industry next door to America's most popular wilderness."
Rom shared that the area is an economic engine for hundreds of people, and they are excited that the Biden Administration is looking into what could be harmful to the area.
When it comes to mining groups who say that their process does not lead to acid drainage, Rom says, "you simply can't trust" what they are saying.
"This type of mining is well known and well understood… it's dangerous," Rom said.
Rom said that the waters in the BWCA have been called "immaculate" as they are extremely clean and at risk of being contaminated with these new mines.
"Minnesota's regulations would allow this mine to pollute those waters," Rom said. "Our regulations aren't designed for a pristine wilderness area that has extremely healthy and clean water."
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If the mines are allowed to operate and cause acid drainage, Rom said the damages would be irreversible.
"You can't clean it up, you can't go into the Boundary Waters, set up waste treatment plants," Rom said. "It's going to be degraded forever."
When it comes to the argument that allowing these mines to operate will create union jobs and help those looking for work, Rom argues the opposite.
"Study after study shows that the area would be better off, both in terms of jobs and income, without copper mining," Rom said as she argued that copper mines are becoming more automated.
Against the study
When it comes to the study, Ongaro shared that mining is essential.
"I think we all have to realize that life depends on metals and minerals, everything we do every day," Ongaro said. "Responsible mining is essential to the green economy that we all want."
When it comes to the Biden Administration, Ongaro says that the administration talks about the need for critical minerals and setting up a supply chain.
But he says the study is only "talking out of the other side of the administration's mouth."
"You can't... talk about a climate crisis and clean energy and electric vehicles," he said. "While at the same time attempt to lock out access to the very metals needed to achieve those goals."
Not only does Ongaro think the move by the Biden Administration is "unnecessary," but he thinks "it does nothing to better protect the environment."
Instead, Ongaro says the study will do nothing but chase investment away from Minnesota, as the BWCA is already protected.
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Regarding the potential of acid mine drainage, Ongaro said that the region has strict state and federal environmental standards in place that would not allow for acid drainage.
"If a company demonstrates that it can meet all state and federal standards, then it will not damage the environment," Ongaro said.
When it comes to environmentalists and anti-mining groups saying it can't be done safely but still calling for renewable technologies, Ongaro wants to know where they think those metals come from?
"Anti-mining groups simply want nothing more than 'not in my backyard and that is environmental privilege," Ongaro said.
The study will take place over the next two years, and depending on what is found, it could carry severe consequences for the region.
