Sulfide Mining Concerns

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Here are some things that need to be brought forth in the discussion of non-ferrous metallic mineral mining (sulfide mining):

AMD - Acid mine drainage has already polluted more than 12,000 miles of rivers and streams and over 180,000 acres of lakes and impoundments across the United States.

PolyMet's proposal alone will destroy over a thousand acres of wetlands, this would be on Federal land located in the Superior National Forest.

Water degradation - Sulfate ions added to the water would increase methyl mercury and threaten ground water with heavy metal contamination.

Sulfide mining waste has to be treated " forever, almost". Drainage from metal mines in Western states has caused some of the country's largest and most contaminated Superfund sites.

Areas all over the Northern half of the State are being explored and leased by mining companies in the hope of striking it rich. Many people do not own their mineral rights. The State owns roughly 25% of the mineral rights and is offering most for lease in an attempt to bring a new type of mining to MN.

Sulfide mining, or non-ferrous metallic mineral mining, is a particularily destructive and dangerous type of mining far worse than taconite mining and has never been permitted before in MN.

Wisconsin now has a Moratorium on Sulfide mining.

Upper Michigan residents are currently fighting the start up of this same type of mining that would threaten their water and their wilderness if allowed to go forward.

South Dakota is trying to clean up a bankrupt gold (with sulfide rock) mine that is now a Superfund site. The clean up of the Gilt Edge Mine is estimated to cost well over 50 million dollars and will require long term water treatment of unknown duration.

Sulfide mining's long term environmental damages far outweigh any possible short term potential economic benefit.

Is AMD coming to a stream near you? Our (ACT Now's) answer is "No"

ACT Now!

The ACT NOW group is a coalition of individuals and groups working to educate the public about sulfide mining. For more information about the group, please contact Julie O’Leary with the Minnesota Environmental Partnership at (218) 727-0800. Sulfide mining will be a critcal issue for all of Minnesota, but particularly for the Arrowhead region with the potential for devastating consequences for the environment for generations to come.

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