A view on mining: Industry makes big claims, but the reality is poverty, pollution

The following article by MN BHA Co-Chair David A. Lien originally appeared in the March 12, 2013 issue of the Duluth Tribune.  Click here for the original version of this article.

An unabashed pro-sulfide mining group, “Jobs for Minnesotans,” has been touting pie-in-the-sky jobs numbers and other contrived economic benefits while ignoring the current sustainable jobs that could be lost to the watershed-ruining toxic legacy sulfide mines always have left behind.

Sulfide mining never has been done anywhere without harming lakes, rivers or streams, the very lifeblood of northern Minnesota. However, recently, an unabashed pro-sulfide mining group, “Jobs for Minnesotans,” has been touting pie-in-the-sky jobs numbers and other contrived economic benefits while ignoring the current sustainable jobs that could be lost to the watershed-ruining toxic legacy sulfide mines always have left behind.

Hunting, fishing and outfitting are not boom-bust industries like mining, but perpetually sustainable activities and traditional economic strengths of our state. On the other hand, mines bear no second crop. A study of hard-rock mines around the country shows mine proposals often start out with extremely high job predictions only to have those whittled down as the design is developed, as reported by Conservation Minnesota.

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Decline in Moose Herd Cancels Hunt

In recent years Minnesota's moose population has experienced alarming declines in both range and numbers.  As a result, Minnesota had to cancel it's moose hunt for the first time in recent history.  The following is an article that was published on this topic in the Wall Street Journal.  For a PDF version of the article, click the image below.

MN BHA Rendezvous - Sept 6-8, 2013

Minnesota Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is hosting its first annual state rendezvous this year, September 6-8, 2013, in the Chippewa National Forest across from Dixon Lake Resort.  Click here for the full event announcement, or for more information This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  We hope that you can join us!