"Remembering Mr. Bill":

Back in the old prospecting days, in the years B.C. (Before Crandon), I had the pleasure of knowing one of the finest ol' Kentucky gentlemen as ever set foot in Forest County. Mr. Bill had a comfortable homestead over on the west edge of the county and being "retired" he was almost always home whenever I stopped by to visit. Sometimes I had to track him down in the woods where he was hiking his trails. He always had his eyes out for gnarly or twisted limbs or small trees from which he could fashion his very own unique walking sticks. For his friends, he made a gift of his creations. To this day, a beautiful white ash walking stick with a curved handle fashioned by Mr. Bill graces the side of my fireplace.

When Mr. Bill invited you into his living room, the first thing he did was offer you a big cold bottle of Pepsi - it had to be cold, it had to be a bottle and it had to be Pepsi. While sharing a Pepsi, Mr. Bill and I talked about the prospecting and exploration for minerals; the low flying, high-winged weird looking airplanes that towed what looked like a bomb at the end of a long cable; the crew of bushmen carrying little black boxes and cutting lines through the woods; the drill crews that worked in big boxes set up on skids and grinding at a high-pitched whine 24 hours a day. He was very observant and knew whenever any new faces showed up in his part of the county.

Mr. Bill loved to talk local politics and his insight was both astute and remarkable. He predicted the outcome of local elections with uncanny accuracy and he had stories to tell about each of the politicians, their political careers and he even revealed a few skeletons that they had hidden in their closets. We often talked about the county politics and how the various politicians would react if minerals were ever discovered. His opinion was that there would be a lot of fighting over the spoils and the "newcomers" would not understand the hardships that the "locals" had put up with over the years.

Perhaps the story that is most deeply etched in my memory was the one he told about the "Chief". Mr. Bill was a long time friend of the Chief and he knew much about the history and relationships with the Native Americans residing near Mole Lake. He never used any name other than the "Chief". The story goes that on one occasion Mr. Bill and the Chief were conversing in a small grocery store near the reservation while waiting out a summer rainstorm. The talk got around to that big airplane that had been flying back and forth near Mole Lake. Mr. Bill, knowing full well how the Native Americans respected "Mother Earth", said that he asked the Chief how he would feel if that airplane found something in the ground. The Chief said, "Mr. Bill, we Indians respect and protect our mother earth, but remember, every mother gladly gives up her bounty to help her children. Whatever is found in this earth was put there for our use. When we need to use what is found, we ask for mothers blessing first and then offer our prayers to make sure that any harm is healed. Mr. Bill said that before they parted company that afternoon, the Chief said to him that their generation would never see the bounty, but their children's children would reap the rewards and share the benefits.

When Mr. Bill passed away there were still many, many stories I wanted to hear and many thoughts I wanted him to share with me. Someday this old prospector will once again run into Mr. Bill and you can bet that he will be drinking Pepsi from a bottle and whittling on a new walking stick.

"What's In A Name":

I recently read where there were once again new owners of the Forest County zinc and copper deposit. It brought back memories as to when this old prospector first heard of the Wisconsin discovery back in May of 1976 - some 27 years ago.

Some of the people that were supposedly in the know back then, told me that when that specific airborne anomaly was detected and determined to be valid, it was identified as the Skunk Lake Prospect by the exploration geologists because Skunk Lake was the nearest geographic feature. Later, when drilling intercepted ore grade mineralization, one of the local geologists called Denver, who in-turn called Houston, who in-turn called New York to let them in on the good news. Of course, the top of the ladder was in New York, and the Exxon honchos wanted to know where the discovery was located. In typical executive fashion, they dug out their trusty travel atlas and, lo and behold, the nearest place name found on the map was Crandon, and so it came to pass that the Forest County deposit became known as Crandon. Now this old prospector thinks that the Exxon corporate big wheels just couldn't stand having their name identified with something that was associated with a Skunk!!

Over the years, the deposit has been referred to as the Exxon mine, the Crandon site, Little Sand Lake site, the Nicolet Minerals deposit, and several other names associated with the various and sundry owners or state agencies.

Since many of the previous owners and other operating entities no longer exist, and since it really isn't located in or adjacent to the City of Crandon, and since Lincoln-Nashville sounds like the replay of a Civil War skirmish, this old prospector thinks we should go back to calling it the Skunk Lake Deposit and ultimately the Skunk Lake Mine. Gracious, even the anti-mining types would frown at having to talk about their pristine environment in the same breath as the likes of a lowly skunk.

 

"The Pause That Refreshes":

 Well, the Ol' Prospector sees where the new owners of the Forest County ore deposit have requested an official hiatus in the permitting process. Sure makes a lot of sense to me! They need time to fall back and regroup and get their act together before proceeding. Obviously they want to make some modifications to the proposed development and operations that will make their visions more viable so it is very prudent of them to proceed with a more cautious approach.

I see that "Mr. NO" of Wisconsin's resource development is also back at it again! Rep. Spencer Black wants the new company to go back to square one and start the process all over again. Now don't that make about as much sense as redesigning the internal combustion engine because the car manufacturer wants to modify the style of the grille and headlight assembly. Oh well, you gotta expect the liberal anti's to keep on trying.

It should be apparent that "Mr. NO" is not the only representative in the assembly and that he doesn't even represent the people of Forest County, but he sure wants to control their future… … … so, call or write those representatives and senators from this area and let them know that there is support for this new mining venture.

"Findings of the Scientific Advisory Council
    Or … What's Doyle afraid of?":

Can you imagine a court trial where the jury sets through five years of testimony and then just before they are asked to report their decision, the judge stands up and tells them that he is declaring the trial over because that's the way he wants it to be. Don't you think that would surely tick off the good humor man? Well it seems to this Ol' Prospector that we have a similar situation shaping up right here in good old Wisconsin.

Former Governor Thompson, in 1997, created a panel of experts, known as the Wisconsin Scientific Advisory Council, to study the potential effects that the Forest County mine would have on the Northwoods environment. After nearly a five-year effort by the Council, the liberal Democrat Doyle disbanded the group and told the professors that they could submit the report as private citizens, but not in an official capacity. Now admittedly the Governor probably has the authority to prohibit an official report on the findings from being issued, but if that is the case then it seems to me he has the obligation to return all the money that the mining company paid out for the study.

In my opinion the only reason not to allow the report to have the official weight of the full Scientific Council is that the results are contrary to the statements of the anti-mining constituents who helped put Doyle into office. What else can Doyle be afraid of?? Is he worried that the scientific findings will show less impact than has been touted by mining opponents since the mine was discovered? The information compiled by some of the most respected technological and environmental experts in the nation deserves to be made available to the public and to the company that is trying to determine the feasibility of continuing the project.

You can bet that if the study has anything positive to say about mining, you will never hear a word about it from the Governor's office. However, it is also a sure bet that every single syllable of negativity will be repeated over and over and expanded in great detail by the editorial staff of the down-state newspapers and the anti-mining establishment.

"Tourism and Jobs":

This Ol' Prospector just received a copy of a press release from a group called the River Alliance of Wisconsin. The release has a tag line that says the mine puts tourism and jobs at risk. Imagine that! I guess this alliance is psychic since the mine, to my knowledge, does not yet exist. However, no where within the Department of Tourism report did I see where it said that tourism is far more important to northeastern Wisconsin than the proposed Crandon mine.

Obviously, the report did not give any credits for the jobs and tourist traffic that would be created by the mine since it hasn't been built. Therefore, the statistics quoted relative to the number of jobs created by tourism compared to the jobs created by the proposed mine is the typical anti-mining play on numbers. You know what they say about numbers…..

The "alliance" also quoted an editorial from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel regarding the tourism issue. The last time I checked, none of the editorial staff of MJS were either mining or tourism experts and I sure as heck would not use a newspaper editorial as credible support for any of my scientific data or statistics.

To even suggest that the Forest County mine has the potential to destroy over 27,000 jobs in Wisconsin's tourism industry is ludicrous. Think about it… where in the entire list of counties traversed by the Wolf River would you even find 27,000 jobs in tourism? And then to really scare the whiskers off the hound, they even have the audacity to suggest that an additional 11,000 jobs would be at risk in Brown County.

Come on people, get real. If you can't come up with valid statistics specific to the mine and its area of influence, then quit twisting words and numbers to make a legitimate report sound like an anti-mining publication.

"Russ and Arlet":

Through my lint-laden bifocals, I just read that the Forest Republican newspaper is being sold and that Russ and Arlet Steel are going to lay down their pens, hide their calendars and put the alarm clock in a drawer. No more deadlines, calls in the night or listening to incessant political haranguing. No more election night forays to the courthouse, no more Wednesday morning breakfasts in Rhinelander, no more long hours in the photo lab waiting to see the pictures.

This Ol' Prospector first met Russ Steel at a meeting held in the old school house that served as the Nashville Town Hall nearly 30 years ago. Sure wish I had a dollar for every meeting that Russ and Arlet have attended since then where the topic of mining was on the agenda. Heck, that would be better than the lottery!

Wishing the Steel's the very best in their retirement and hoping that the vacations are relaxing and much enjoyed. Adios, my friends, we will miss you! [July 3, 2003].

"Journalistic Inaccuracies Feed Opposition"

This Ol’ Prospector read a column in the Green Bay newspaper a few days ago that really flipped his switch. The article showed minimal in-depth research and certainly presented only a one-sided story, typical of today’s “New York Times” journalism. I sure wish journalists would just present the facts and quit trying to be a novelist!! This article quoted a Mole Lake representative as saying she was worried about all the graves up on Spirit Hill that the mining company “wanted to dig up”. Now where the heck did this come from??

Why on the face of God’s green earth would the mining company or anyone else want to dig up the grave of 500 Chippewa and Sioux warriors? Not only is against the law to disturb a gravesite, but I am convinced that any company interested in mine development would be more than willing to work with the tribe to see that this culturally significant site would be recognized by more than a brass marker along Highway 32.

Further along in the article it noted that the mine parking lot would be built just yards from the tribe’s Environmental Protection Agency Building. You know, many years before this building existed, the mine site plans were already drawn up. Me thinks that this is a prime example of someone building a house next to the airport runway and then crying because the airplanes make noise!

This article was full of other inaccuracies that were caused by not talking to the company or the regulators. And yes, the same minerals that are proposed to be mined also exist beneath the reservation lands. Several years ago, this ol’ prospector had several encounters with geologists from the U.S. Geological Survey that drilled out samples of pretty good looking mineralization from the reservation.

You know, it is a shame that all the parties can’t work together and resolve the issues. It seems to me that tribal representatives should just sit down with this new mining outfit and lay their cards on the table and have some open and direct discussions like they did back in the 1980’s. It is awful easy to oppose anything when there continues to be a “fear of the unknown”.[July 27, 2003]

"The Traveling Salesman"

Well I see where the Nashville Town Chairman is now a keynote speaker for the newest anti-mining group over in Marinette. Although Sleeter has always been opposed to mining in Forest County, he is most obviously opposed to any and all mining development anywhere.

At a recent anti-mining meeting, Sleeter recommended to the audience that they should spend whatever it takes to block any of the mining company plans. “Money, money, money…” he said, “That is what mining is about. Cause the company to spend money now, don’t wait”.

You know, with that kind of attitude and rhetoric, the Ol’ Prospector thinks that it is no wonder that a company cannot sit down with the local population and have constructive discussions. The well gets poisoned before they even get a chance to find a cup to drink out of. [July 28, 2003]

"POWER PROBLEMS RECOGNIZED"

Glory Be!! Gov. Doyle has issued an executive order to environmental and utility officials to streamline the process for approving transmission lines! Doyle's order gives the Department of Natural Resources and the Public Service Commission three weeks to prepare a report and have it on his desk. Man, can you imagine either of these two agencies agreeing on anything and writing a report in just three weeks!

Just remember folks, it currently takes from four to seven years to build a new power transmission line. In order to streamline the review and approval process, Doyle wants each agency to work in parallel, rather than sequentially, so there are not two separate review processes. Is that unique or what?

Doyle said that every application should be reviewed to ensure projects are economically sound, protect the environment, have a minimal impact on communities and preserve the opportunity for public input. Now I ask you, isn't that exactly the same thing that mining companies have been trying to do for the last 25 years? Now all of a sudden, with the impending doom of power outages and shortages, the process suddenly seems to be right.

Doyle said that a good, clean environment is one of Wisconsin's greatest assets but, we also have to have sufficient and reliable electric power... and we have to make those two things compatible. Now this Ol' Prospector seems to think that if the environment and power generation
can be made compatible, then the environment and mining can also me made compatible. If it's good for the goose, then it should be good for the gander!!

"FALLING WATER"

A report from the Northeast Wisconsin & Lake Michigan Watershed Planning Conference noted that elimination of habitat and introduction of new non-native species has now become the number one problem in the watershed. Toss in some storm water runoff and PCB's and even the Ol' Prospector agrees that there are a number of real problems to deal with.

However, the report also had some news that should be quite disturbing to our anti-mining "environmental" activists. According to the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, the level of northeast Wisconsin's aquifer is dropping at a rate of three feet per year. In Milwaukee, the drawdown rate for the underground water reserves currently exceeds 7 feet per year.

Now hey, wouldn't you expect website proliferation and protest marches to be rampant with a statistic like that?? We're talking groundwater depletion over areas the size of metropolitan Milwaukee and Green Bay. Gracious, while the members of the Fox River Chapters of all the " stop-the-mine" groups are traveling to Crandon and all over northern Wisconsin to "educate" the local citizens, their own groundwater is disappearing at a rate that they would consider criminal anywhere else. In addition, just wait until the lower groundwater levels start showing increased radium and arsenic concentrations and perhaps the inflow of concentrated road salt runoff causes a rise in the local cyanide levels. This Ol' Prospector thinks that the activists are going to have a difficult time blaming mining projects for poisoning their own water supplies. Gosh, then they will have to brush the mining issue aside while they lobby the legislature to create a statewide moratorium on the use of groundwater and road salt!!

The "worst case" groundwater drawdown which could be created by the proposed Forest County mine pales by comparison, and yet the screaming protests make you think that northern Wisconsin is going to dry up completely. The one question this Ol' Prospector has always wanted the mining opponents to answer is "why in the world would any underground mine operation want to allow all that groundwater to flow into the mine where it would have to be pumped back out and treated"? Obviously, the majority of those opposed do not understand that a mining company does not want the headache and added treatment cost of groundwater drawdown - or else they do understand but are not willing to give up this excellent anti-mining scare tactic. [August 15, 2003]

"THE NEW MINERS"

Well, well, well…… the ol' prospector sees where the Sierra Club and other anti-everything groups have whined and threatened legal action long enough that our DNR protectors have decided that we need new regulations that spell out the minimum qualifications to mine in Wisconsin. Obviously this action is in response to the fact that Northern Wisconsin Resource Group is owned by someone who has been involved in logging and timber management for a lifetime, but has never owned a hard-rock mine. The DNR must assume that the new owners are not qualified to open or operate the mine, and an attorney for the anti's has been quoted as saying that the new owner is way over its head and cannot possibly develop and operate a project of this nature in a responsible manner based on their experience. I can't believe that any educated individual with a modicum of mining knowledge or common sense would even think that this new company intends to actually open and develop a mine all by itself with its current level of mining experience.

Lets take a realistic look at the situation. First, the new owners of the project have been very successful in logging and lumber operations for many years. Therefore they obviously know that to be successful you don't go out and hire some half-crazed city slicker with a chainsaw to be a logger. By the same token, they know that you can't take a competent woodsman and expect them to be a hard-rock miner. They know that to make competent loggers, and to make competent miners, you need to start with qualified and experienced supervisors and provide new employees with an abundance of training….. of course, training leads to work and maybe some of those that protest the most don't know what that word means.

If management hired only experienced mining people, then the local labor force would never have the opportunity to qualify for the better mining jobs…. somewhat stupid when you want to improve the economic diversity and prosperity of this area.

Now lets talk about regulations. In Wisconsin, or in any other state, you cannot grab a pick and shovel and start your own mine even though the anti-mining contingency would certainly like you to believe that the new mining company intends to do that very thing. The Wisconsin DNR - Mining Division, regulates mining for the State of Wisconsin. However, the art and science of mining is regulated by the US Department of Labor - Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). MSHA is responsible for the health and safety of every person involved in the mining industry. Every aspect of mining is regulated by MSHA and every person involved in an actual mining occupation must be certified to do the job they are hired to do. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) assists mining companies to comply with the myriad of MSHA directives. And believe me, these and other federal agencies have loads of directives, permits, codes, regulations and operatives to follow.

This ol' prospector has no problem with requiring a company to have minimal mining credentials, but he hates it when there are people so stupid that they actually believe the new mine owners intend to put on coveralls, steel-toe boots and a hard hat and do the mining themselves. [September 5, 2003]

"Off To The Races"

Whoopee ding…… don't you know that the anti-everything boys and girls are totally frustrated with the new owner of the proposed Forest County mine. They sure seem to be unduly agitated by the fact that the Dept of Natural Resources has been asked to continue its review of the mining permit application. They have been vocally opposed to any delay in the permitting process since it was requested last May, so perhaps they were hoping it was never going to be resurrected.

This ol' prospector has said before that any competent business has the right and fiscal responsibility to review the status of a purchase the magnitude of the proposed mine. While the new company got a better understanding of the project, the request for a "stay" in the review process certainly served as a wake up call to all those regulators who have for years and years taken the process, and their daily jobs, for granted.

Obviously for someone to state that this business option is "schizophrenic indecision" shows just how little that person knows about operating a successful business …..and then to say that it undermines the company's business credibility simply proves ignorance of business acumen.

To state that "the lack of a qualified applicant is a major step backwards for the Wolf River and Wisconsin's environment" is pure hogwash and intended to be environmentally inflammatory. No matter who the applicant is they still have to meet all of the same regulations and compliances. Mining regulations are not made for an individual company.

The Ol' Prospector thinks it is time to start questioning the credentials of those individuals who question the credentials of a legitimate business. [September 12, 2003]

 

To the Point

No tippy-toes through the tulips.. No beating around the bushes….. the Anti-Everything Alliance sure 'nuff wants to ban sulfide mining in Michigan and on the Yellow Dog Plains in particular. Before Kennecott can even complete the evaluation of the prospect to see if it is a viable deposit, they have to start defending not only their property, but the entire mining industry.

Kinda reminds me of the story about the little kid who said he did not like milk --- when he was asked if he ever had tasted milk, he replied "No Way". He didn't like it because he had never tasted it and was not willing to even try it. The anti-everything bunch has never had the experience of dealing with modern day mines and mining methods, but they are not willing to even discuss it. They have read about or seen problems associated with mines built decades ago when technologies and methods were much less advanced and when environmental regulations were not a priority, perhaps not even in existence.

The ol' Prospector believes that there are two sides to every issue and a good faith effort needs to be made to address concerns and reach an agreeable compromise. In this day and age, no mining company would allow the development of mine drainage that is going to contaminate the tributaries and aquifers of major basins, even if environmental regulations were not already in place. Not only are today's companies more technically capable and willing to operate in a responsible manner, they live and work in the environment where the operation is located.

Instead of jumping up and down and demanding that something be banned, why not learn about the geology and mineralogy of the area and work with the mine developers to see that the physical and social environments are protected while jobs, revenues and the local tax base are expanded. Ask questions and demand answers, but be sure that those providing the answers are not individuals blinded by their own negativity and ideology. Instead of trying to get advice and knowledge by bringing in local officials from neighboring states that know absolutely nothing about mining, why not bring in mining technicians (geologists and engineers), and experienced mine operators along with environmental regulators. [New 10.02.03]

 

The Traveling Roadshow

Well, the Ol' Prospector finally got a chance to hear two Wisconsin environmental activists in action. Boy oh boy, he will have to say that these guys are well read and are getting better at scaring the devil out of local citizens all the time. They sorta remind me of the traveling "hell fire and brimstone" preachers that used to travel the revival meetin' circuit back in the good ol' days. This road show touts the duo as being engineers and educators. Granted that fact, the ol' prospector sure wanted to ask them how much actual mining experience in modern mines they had, but he already knows the answer….nada, zero, zilch. They didn't talk mining, they talked "organizing" the opposition. The one fact that came through in their preaching was that nothing a mining company does will be good enough or thorough enough. Their response is simply "no". They say that the local citizens should educate themselves - but then they say don't listen to the mining company or regulators. They say that they have educated themselves…. How? …by reading reports and publications of other anti-mining proponents and touring the worst mining examples they can find. Every technological advancement in the industry is met with the same old response…"it won't work". Their idea of new technologies, new methodologies, and new regulations are simply a denial of the facts by using examples from decades old mines and prospects. The one thing that was garnered from the meeting is that mining companies are now doing everything openly, out in public. When local communities and groups approach the mining company for financial donations, these two accuse the company of trying to buy them. You know, in my many years of dealing with the likes of these anti-everything organizations and their organizers, I have yet to see any community support bought with a $25, $100, or $500 donation. Do they actually think that the local citizens are really that naive? They claim that the mining companies are just trying to buy support - how about the company just wanting to be a part of the local community?

After the meeting, the ol' prospector reflected on the tone of the meeting. He suspects that no matter how willing a mining company is to discuss the issues, they will always be met with debate and confrontation. Sad to say, but anti-everything groups have one simple philosophy…."Don't confuse me with facts, my mind is already made up!!" [10.05.03]

  HEAVY HITTERS

Well, while checking out the Packers, this ol' Prospector just happened to read where a new consulting business was recently formed down in the Milwaukee area. From a news point of view you might say that a new consulting business is no big deal and new ones are formed practically every day here in Wisconsin. However, it seems that there is a subtle uniqueness to this one - a former governor, a very astute former state legislator, and the former head of a Wisconsin mining company. Sounds pretty heavyweight to this old prospector!

The group consists of former Wisconsin Governor Tony Earl, former state Representative Sheehan Donoghue, and Dale Alberts, former President of Nicolet Minerals Company when it was owned by BHP Billiton of Australia. This new consulting group has been established to help maneuver businesses through the maze of governmental and regulatory controls and help them more easily navigate the permitting quagmire.

Me thinks that a company whose mantra is to provide businesses with a portal through the minefield of regulatory obstacles is certainly needed in this state. Of course, the media spin in the article I read focused mainly on Alberts, Nicolet Minerals, and the Forest County ore deposit. However, folks, I can almost "garr-on-tee" that this combination of regulatory advisors will give the anti-everything groups a real headache even if mining never enters into the picture. [10.10.03]

REST IN PEACE

Well folks, the Ol' Prospector has to admit that the timing of the sale of the Forest County ("Crandon") ore deposit came as a surprise, but the sale in itself wasn't really unsuspected. For the past six months or so, there has been a nagging question as to the whys and ways that brought the Connors group into the mining picture. Regardless of the ongoing perplexity, this ol' reprobate has to admit that he is rather glad to see the Forest County Potawatomi and Sokaogon Chippewa make the purchase rather than the State of Wisconsin. Our Native American neighbors have always had an avowed and legitimate environmental concern about the proposed mine, mainly because of the history of many metallic mines and the track record of the mining industry as a whole. The simple fact is that they were never fully convinced that the mining techniques available today are sufficient to provide the level of environmental protection they feel is necessary. Many of the tribal members were also not convinced that the Department of Natural Resources always made decisions in the tribe's best interest.

The State of Wisconsin has, for nearly a quarter of a century, thwarted the efforts to move forward with a regulatory scheme that would provide the protection needed to develop the Forest County ore deposit. For whatever political reason, regulatory foot-dragging became the standard operating procedure. Ultimately, the mine became a political football, used by politicians to generate emotional concerns and garner votes from those who are opposed to not only mining, but also any other legitimate resource development.

On the other hand, our Native American neighbors have not always been strictly politically motivated. They have, however, utilized politicians very effectively in gaining political remedies to some of their environmental and socioeconomic concerns. Many of the politicians, as well as a number of the allied support groups, were able to generate political "heat" on behalf of the Native Americans. Unfortunately, in many cases these groups and individuals have had their own agenda and were not truly as environmentally concerned as the Forest County Tribal Communities.

But, nuff said. For now, the topic of mining or development of the so-called "Crandon" deposit is a moot point. This old prospector wishes our tribal neighbors the best, and notes that from this day forward, any environmental changes or consequences of economic development (or lack thereof) in the area of the deposit are under the direct control of this county's Native American residents. Gaming proceeds may have provided our neighbors with development opportunities heretofore considered unthinkable. [10.29.2003]

KENNECOTT'S WOES: A CLOUDY CRYSTAL BALL

This ol' prospector has recently had the opportunity to sit back, sip on a strong cup of black coffee, and reflect on the newest mining venture up across the border in Michigan. Alls I can say is that thank goodness it isn't located in Wisconsin. I would not wish that on even my worst enemy. Who wants to set forth on a venture that will last 25 years and then go up in smoke?

Already, before Kennecott has even had the opportunity to determine if their minerals deposit is of sufficient tonnage, grade and composition to be classified as "ore", the anti-everything forces have already been hard at work. The opposition, in Kennecott's case, is already firmly entrenched and they obviously do not intend to be burdened with facts. Heck, they have even imported some Wisconsin organizers to teach them the nuts and bolts of opposing development.

They say they are worried about the plants and animals and the rural nature of the mineral location. Yet they want to be able to ride their snowmobiles and four-wheelers across the same area and not worry about the plants or animals. They don't want development of any kind, particularly development that will bring in good jobs, increased local revenue, and lower taxes. And I dearly love the courtesy and manners of the Eagle Alliance supporters……they even act like spoiled four years olds, screaming and yelling because they don't get their way immediately. This old prospector thinks Kennecott would be best served by dealing directly with residents and community organizations that will at least sit down at the negotiation table with an open, unbiased mind and talk about the issues of greatest concern. The best way to deal with pouting four year olds is not to. [10.29.2003]

PRAYERS

For many years now I have heard the old saying: Be Careful what you pray for, you might just get it!

For those who want the local area to stay just the way it has been since those Kentucky loggers walked into what is now Forest County a hundred years ago, their prayers seem to have been answered.

For now we won't be bothered with all those new people moving in and wanting to build houses, shop at our stores, take up space in our schools or vote in our elections. Our stores won't have to expand their shelf space, order in more supplies to sell, or hire more clerks. The local contractors won't need to hire more carpenters, masons, or roofers to build more houses or stores. Heck, even our banks won't have to worry about setting up more savings accounts or seeing higher balances in existing checking accounts.

But, since we are still going to need to have roads upgraded, more school rooms built, and continued snow plowing anyway, those of us now living here will just get to pay more for our taxes and services anyway. Oh, Joy!! Our prayers are answered! [11.15.2003]

LOOKING BACK

Well, it's been a few weeks now since the Forest County ore deposit was sold to the Forest County Potawatomi and Sokaogon Chippewa Tribes. The sale has afforded this Ol' Prospector the opportunity to sit back in his old maple rocker and listen to some eye-opening comments made by local residents, regulators and anti-mining constituents.

The most surprising comments heard by these old ears have been those made by local citizens who, in the past, were either vocally negative or quietly opposed to mining and are now bemoaning the fact that the deposit has been sold and economic opportunities have been lost. Local officials, on the whole, seem to be satisfied, perhaps because now nothing will change, no slew of people will be coming in bringing new ideas, there won't be any jobs that have to be filled, and life can go on as usual.

The anti-mining constituents, anti-everything progressive legislators, and their supporting special interest groups are, of course, elated because they really believe their tactics put a victory in their column. Although they were a thorn in the side, a thumb in the eye, and a pain in the butt, they were just that. They were purely and simply unopposed. In fact, except for the earliest days of the project, the mining companies never fielded a team of proponents to counteract the negative influences or balance the negative voices. Mining supporters were never organized to act on behalf of mining or to support the mining venture. Amazingly, not one local community organization, including those supposedly supporting economic development or representing business groups, had the guts to stand up in public and say that their group supported the mining opportunity.

The DNR project team members, attorneys and executives have expressed various degrees of concern and exhibited a wide range of finger pointing as to what brought an end to 27 years of review. A number of DNR staff have spent a large part of their careers in this mine review and overstudy process; some have even retired. Isn't it incredulous that a regulatory agency who has billed the various mining companies over 7 million dollars to pay for reviewing their data have never once formally expressed yes, no or maybe as to the viability of the project or any of its major components. And then they blame the lack of a decision (in part) on the fact that new owners kept getting involved….. and why in heavens name do they think that new owners keep getting involved?? Surely, it wasn't because their regulatory foot-dragging caused the old owners to throw up their hands and walk away in disgust!!

It is my humble opinion that if the regulators had listened to the legitimate players, including the Forest County tribes and their consultants, and concentrated on addressing legitimate concerns, definitive answers could have been found long ago. Instead, many of the powers in the DNR felt that it more politically expedient to listen to Madison legislators, Madison lawyers, Madison activists, and state-wide Wisconsin "educators" who knew little or nothing about mining except how to arouse and incite the activists across the state. There is not a corporate entity in these United States that could have acquired the necessary mining permits because every time it appeared that the mining company was headed for a target, the regulators up and moved the target. Why in heaven's name should a mining company that wants to build and operate a mine in northern Wisconsin be expected to solve every social, political and economic concern related to the mining industry in the last 100 years or into the foreseeable future…..? Let's finally get real !

You know, this Ol' Prospector is of the fundamental opinion that if any of the mining companies involved had been able to sit down with those truly concerned about the environment, with those residents in the area most likely to be affected by the mine, and with those that were legitimately concerned with local air and water issues, any mining company owner, including the current tribal ownership, could reach a more rewarding result. [11.17.2003]

WATCH CLOSELY

Folks, as this old prospector has said more than once, watch closely at the tactics just beginning against the mining development groups up in Michigan. Why, you ask, should we care what they do? Well, negatively oriented groups like this start out opposing those things that, with a little simple agitation, make it easy to get lots of people involved. Perhaps you really aren't interested or simply don't want to get involved, and that is certainly your right. However, just remember that power lines, stores, roads, cell phone towers, and so on, will follow. Next will come zoning issues, building permits, and construction activities. Don't mean to alarm you folks, but believe me, these groups want to control land use and development activities and they will travel great distances to make life difficult for developers and eventually, local land owners. Ultimately everyone will feel the negative results of these activities under the disguise of "protecting our environment".

It is going to be an interesting time my friends. First, it looks like the energies of the anti-everything groups are going to be divided between the Minerals Processing Corporation project in Menominee County and Kennecott's Project Eagle near Big Bay in Marquette County. Second, the playbook they are using is almost identical to the one used to harass and undermine the Forest County mining project. This ol' Prospector will do his best to keep you informed and point out the actions of and reactions to, the various players. It is going to be interesting to see if MPC and Kennecott study the playbooks and learn by the mistakes made in Crandon. I am most anxious to see if the Michigan anti-everything groups are willing to talk and negotiate or if they are going to simply be an irritant. [01.26.2004]

THE ULTIMATE MINING POSITION

When my son and his friends were in high school, they used to have a saying that "up to 20% of the people on this planet reserve the right to remain totally stupid". I think I have found the organization where those 20% brain-dead people reside…. It is called the Friends of the Earth International (FOEI). This group of "do-gooders" and "tree-huggers" has demanded that international monetary funds and financial institutions phase out investment in mining activities. They want the money to be used for closing mines, finding new jobs for miners laid off when the mines are closed, and restoring all the closed mine sites.

Now I know from experience that there are a lot of anti-mining types and NIMBY-groups out there in this world. However, even most of those groups realize that mining is a necessity of life; they just don't want it to change anything where they live and play. By contrast, FOEI apparently wants to return to living in a cave, riding horses to get around, heating with wood, seeing at night by firelight, and corresponding by drums and smoke signals.

Oh yea! Take away all their creature comforts that depend on mining such as automobiles, furnaces, batteries, light bulbs, computers, knives, saws, and on and on, and then let's see if they really want to practice what they preach. Perhaps we need to set aside a community where these people can reside and return to the primitive way of life. Me thinks that in short order there would be either a mass exodus or a mass suicide. I also bet that a few years of this purgatory way of life would change their way of thinking about living. [02.10.2004]

ANOTHER SKEPTICAL(?) POLITICIAN(?)

"In my 12 years in Congress I've never seen so much poking around" said US Rep. Bart Stupak, referring to the minerals exploration projects in Michigan's U.P. (Gosh, can you imagine how much poking around he would have seen if he had been out west during the gold rush days, or when there were ten companies exploring in northern Wisconsin twenty-five years ago or the nearly 100 exploration groups in Nevada last year - hey, he don't even know what poking around is!)

Stupak said he is concerned about, if not completely opposed to, some of the potential mining projects in the Upper Peninsula, and he is not comfortable with using chemicals to extract minerals, particularly cyanide. (So folks, there you go. Another politician, who knows absolutely nothing about mining or milling of ore, yet is obviously the voice of the anti-everything crowd. To be a representative from an area where mining has always been a way of life, it is so obvious that his ear has been bent by the National Wildlife Federation attorney and other negative lobbyists that his credibility and objectivity is soon going to be on the line. How can he be opposed to something that the companies have not even determined will be proposed and still call himself fair and open-minded?) If he had waited to find out some facts, Stupak would have learned that cyanide is rarely used to extract copper and nickel from the ore type that Kennecott is seeking. (Pretty obvious that he has been spoon-fed some bad information.)

Whenever someone makes a comment like "It's encouraging that Rep. Stupak is being proactive and beginning to make some decisions about it." And"I hoped he would take this position", it is pretty obvious who fed Stupak the crap isn't it?. It is also a low blow to an elected official when his constituents can see how quickly he makes decisions based on only half the information he needs. (Golly, do you reckon he votes on national defense and tax issues with the same amount of background information??)

Now you can see how these anti-development people and their "legal advisors" operate? A lot of people still think that "environmental attorneys" actually know something truthful about the effects of mining on the environment.

The Ol' Prospector keeps saying that he sure hopes that Kennecott and the other exploration companies are paying close attention to these antics. They can't sit back and hope these negative groups will go away as Exxon did down in Wisconsin. And the days of making a statement such as "our company plans to protect the environment" just won't cut it anymore! Residents want to know what the plans might be for any type of mine, and any type of ore. Believe me, people will understand that final decisions have not been made and they can understand that plans may change. Local residents are afraid of the word "sulfide" simply because the anti-miners have made it a scary word. Get out from behind the desks and go talk about mining to the people one-on-one and explain the processes and procedures to them. At least when people make up their minds they will have the necessary knowledge to make a rational and educated decision. [02.01.2004]

MR. NO STRIKES AGAIN

Wisconsin's "Mr. No", recently introduced a three-bill legislative package to "strengthen" Wisconsin's mining laws. Black wants to "protect our environment from the next Crandon". (Pardon me, but where was the first Crandon, and where is the environmental damage that it created??? Sorry, but I just had to ask).

Mr. No's three bills are:

1. No Variance: This is a plug the "loopholes" (Black's interpretation, of course!) so that a mining company cannot get waivers for setbacks, wetlands or waste sites that are toxic. (By the way, the Crandon tailings were never classified as a toxic waste, but Black doesn't understand or conveniently forgets little things like that!)

2. Environmental Lawbreaker: This is another "bad actor" bill which, using Black's language, could prevent any mining company from being able to start a business in Wisconsin. (Doesn't sound like a bad thing, but wait until he wants to apply similar limitations to paper companies, logging companies, printing or manufacturing companies, and on and on.)

3. Park Protection: This bill prohibits mining in state parks, wildlife refuges and other state conservation lands such as state forests. (Considering how much of our Northwoods are included in these designations, you can see why Black wants this to provide a playground for his liberal supporters. Again, just wait until other organizations and businesses start being included in this little bill.)

Hey, folks, believe it or not, but I do not know of a single mining company that deliberately wants to mine near rivers or wetlands, in state forests or other areas that make it more difficult to mine or to even plan a mine. The plain simple unadulterated fact is that ore deposits are found where they were formed eons ago and a mine has to be located where the ore deposit is located. Unfortunately, a mine cannot be moved to another location that meets everyone's requirements and that is why mines sometimes need variances. To consider most of these variances as "loopholes," as Mr. No does, is simply asinine.

I also do not know of any mining company that deliberately pollutes the environment or deliberately sets out to break the law. No company wants to have a reputation as a polluter this day and time for any reason and no company wants the added cost of remediating environmental damages. Besides, it is much easier and more cost effective to do prevention than to do remediation. This ol' prospector is just a little concerned that if a company fails to fill out the proper paperwork on a mandated environmental report or fails to get it submitted on time, they have "broken the law" and could be prevented from operating in Wisconsin if Black's legislation becomes law. Black says that this won't happen, but hey, the legislation will be interpreted by the DNR and we all know how many companies tried to work with the DNR at Crandon.

So, Mr. No and his merry band of anti-business constituents must work diligently to make hay while the sun shines. Wonder which business or industry will be the next target if he gets the mining industry in his thumbscrews?? [02.10.2004]

Playbook, Page 2:

Hey gang, did I not tell you that the anti-mining bunch in the Upper Peninsula was following the Wisconsin anti-Crandon playbook line by line? The Ol' Prospector just read that the Yellow Dog Preserve Everything group had made a presentation to the tribal council up at Keweenaw Bay and (surprisingly!) convinced them to oppose the Kennecott exploration project. Unfortunately, the tribal council made a decision based on the urgency of the moment without even considering the plans of the mining company or even asking for proof that what they were told was true. That is the plan of the opposition…. Slip in, stir up the audience and get them to go on record as opposing a project before they have the opportunity to evaluate any proposal. Of course, the opposition may still be there but at least they would have had the opportunity to make an intelligent and educated decision.

What about it explorationists? Are you watching the actions of these groups? The Ol' Prospector ain't gonna cut you no slack when it comes to placing blame for your own lethargic actions. Remember, it's PBR time……. Proactive Beats Reactive!!!

Kennecott Opposition Melds

Well, Kennecott has made their first public presentations and are in the process of moving a point man to the local area. This is a good start and a local presence will provide a long-needed contact for concerned residents of the area. Of course, before Kennecott was able to schedule their meetings and inform people what they had actually found and describe what their course of action would be, the anti-everything bunch was out in advance spreading fear and unsubstianted rumors. Kind of reminds this old prospector of how the Democrats went on TV and gave their version of the State of the Union message before the President actually made his presentation. I guess they call this a prebuttal rather than a rebuttal!

Knowing that Kennecott is beginning to present actual facts to the public, the anti-mining Eagle Alliance environmentalists are taking to the streets and are soliciting local, regional and national assistance in creating opposition to the mining project. To create this massive anti-development atmosphere, the local (but not too local) environmentalists are soliciting the National Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited, the Sierra Club, and the Michigan Environmental Council to help fight the project. Me thinks that this strategy is similar to the way those Iraqi nationals are importing foreign assistance to fight the coalition forces.

I guess my biggest gripe with these groups is that they provide a prebuttal for "mining details" and "environmental results" which they use to convince the local population that they are experts and actually know something about geology, mining and the environment. [04.04.2004]

DEQ Forms Study Group

Holy Banana Skins! I just read where the DEQ had decided to form a new group to review and strengthen mining regulations. I said to myself, self, this could be a good thing, but I wonder why after all these years the DEQ decided to attack this project at this particular time. I read on and then the haze started to clear. A DEQ representative was quoted as saying "we're really focusing on the sulfide deposits" and there was that word again. Yikes! That dreaded seven-letter sulfide word. The DEQ doesn't normally act in a vacuum, so they must have gotten a prod via e-mails, calls and lobbyists representing the anti-everything environmental groups. But hey, you say, they also appointed mining industry representatives. Well, this old prospector has been down this road too many times before to not see how the stage is being set. Sounds like a rerun of the old Forest County, Wisconsin project. Believe you me, the mining interests had better start working with some local grass-roots support groups, put together some basic scientific presentations, and ramp up the pro-mining rhetoric before it gets too late. Folks, the anti-everything constituents have only one thing in mind…an end to mining. [04.10.2004]

The Governor Leans Against Mining

Well, as another example of mostly making up one's mind before the facts are presented, Gov. Jennifer Granholm has indicated that she probably won't support Kennecott's mining plans. Gosh, this comes as a real surprise to the Ol' Prospector! But, giving the Governor the benefit of the doubt, she says she will wait for the recommendations of the DEQ study group (as if her public position won't have any influence on some members of that group).

The Governor joins Rep. Stupak in having concerns over environmental risks based on information that is not based on sound scientific principles. She is also concerned that the well-paying jobs that could be provided will only last up to 10 years and she "wants to create jobs that will last". Hey, I'm all for that, but where are those jobs? At this time I sure don't see anybody beating down the doors to bring long-lasting, well paying jobs to the area. It is nice rhetoric to say lets wait for the good jobs, but tell those tech school and college graduates that they should just hang around and wait for them to appear.

Gov. Granholm said that she doesn't want to do anything to harm the quality of the water, and wants any mining plans to be based on "sound science". If that is the case, then why not wait until the plans are fully developed to create a mine that will protect the water and the overall environment. This old prospector thinks that elected officials should base their political positions on science and facts and not jump into the foray just to try to influence study groups. I sure do hate to see the "Chicken Little Syndrome" continue to run rampant. [04.19.2004]

Foreign Miners

According to a recent AP article, the anti-development Environmental Working Group (EWG), using BLM statistics, has gotten a knot in their shorts because out of some 28,000 different companies with interest in lands out west, 94 companies are owned by foreign interests, mostly from Canada.

Mining interests from the U.S. are free to invest in Canadian ventures, but turn-about is apparently not fair play according to the EWG. It appears to this old prospector that the environmentalists have targeted mining for elimination and the mining laws for drastic change to fit their own agenda. Topping their want list is the desire to do away with open-pit mining and to totally ban the use of cyanide. Isn't it amazing how these so-called environmental groups use buzz words like cyanide and open-pit to scare the masses into a frenzy. It's no wonder much of the world distrusts corporate activities.

All the anti-mining research which has been done by EWG, according to Mineweb, is funded in part by the Heinz Family Fund, a non-profit foundation headed by the wife of the Democratic presidential hopeful. Kerry has been whining and crying lately about our dependence on foreign oil. Wonder how long it will be before he starts moaning because we have become dependent on foreign supplies of precious metals, base metals and agricultural minerals that require mining? [05.10.2004]

New Face on the NRB

Well, talk about stacking the deck, I read where Gov. Doyle has appointed "one of Wisconsin's greatest conservationists" to the Natural Resources Board. Now this ol' prospector doesn't know any of the appointees personally, but it seems to me that if a person who has worked for resource development and utilization had been appointed there would be a public outcry of unfairness. I guess that I would rather see a more potentially unbiased person helping to make decisions if I were thinking about doing development in the state. It is not surprising that companies interested in looking for copper - zinc, nickel and iron in northern Wisconsin and those evaluating the old zinc district in southern Wisconsin are doing so from a distance. [05.10.2004]

 

Whatcha Gonna Do For Power?

Guess what…. The Sierra Club says that nuclear waste, not mining, is now the biggest threat to Wisconsin's Wolf River. There are new concerns that the current administration's emphasis on considering the construction of more nuclear power plants will create the need for a large nuclear waste dump located in the eastern United States. And, as most of the anti-development groups know, the Wolf River Batholith (a large granitic intrusive), located at the headwaters of the Wolf River, was proposed as a geologically sound waste storage area many years ago. So when the Feds decide that a waste storage site is needed for the eastern United States, it could make the old Forest County zinc-copper mine seem like a gnat on an elephant's rear.

Folks, this old prospector has been tracking the antics of the Sierra Club for a long time and it does appear that they will support wind-generated power provided the windmills are not located where they interfere with any residents, birds or TV reception. However, they are opposed to hydro-electric power because they don't want any more dams on the rivers; they oppose coal-fired power plants because they produce too many pollutants; they oppose gas-fired power plants because they make power too expensive for the customers; they oppose nuclear power generation because it produces waste which has to be stored; and they even oppose the power lines that are needed to bring power in from adjacent states. Pray tell, how in tarnation are we going to get the power we need to support increased population and business in Wisconsin. I guess that my inclusion of the Sierra Club in the "anti-everything" category is not too far off base. [05.10.2004]

Kennecott's Moving In The Right Direction

In one of the best moves made to date, Kennecott Minerals Co. announced that they are going to be working with the Lake Superior Community Partnership to gather and disseminate mining related information to residents of the Marquette area.

The LSCP recognizes that it is premature to consider endorsing the project, but they also know that the battle lines are being drawn before the facts are even known, particularly by the anti-everything forces.

Of course, in their usual negative response to anything of a positive nature, the anti-development people think the partnership is good for the business interests, but not for the people. I guess those business entities that are interested in promoting economic development and providing jobs in the community aren't considered "the people" by the so-called Eagle Alliance.

You know, this ol' prospector continues to be amazed at the thought processes of these naïve souls that propose to protect the world from all things new. They want everything that modern technology has to offer ….. CD's, TV's, VCR's, SUV's, snowmobiles, etc., but heaven forbid if someone has to cut down a tree or dig a hole to extract the materials to make them.

The anti's also want all the information before it is developed; they want the all the answers before the questions can even be posed. And they want everything now. Typically their concern is me, me, me and my….. You know, I guess it is easier and more politically expedient to be negative about everything…. it's no wonder they are sour on the world!!! When they come to a meeting and shout out their list of problems and concerns, it's amazing that the only solutions they are willing to offer is to not do anything. And that, as my old Cajun buddy says, "is garroonteeed". [07.10.2004]

 

The Working Group At Work

For those of us who had the opportunity to watch our regulatory agency at work, it was nice to see discussion, negotiation and exchange among all of the interested parties. But then it always has to get politicized. Rep. Bart Stupak appeared at the working group meeting to show his support for the anti-everything crowd and express his concerns about enforcing the rules. This old prospector thinks it would be nice to develop mining rules, the legislation and the administrative rules before you holler about enforcement.

I just can't see how one of our respected elected leaders has the audacity to admit that he remains skeptical of Kennecott's plans when Kennecott hasn't presented him with any plans to look at. He also added that Kennecott has a long way to go to convince him that the mine would benefit area citizens when none of the studies to make those convincing results has yet to be completed. Talk about making up your mind before the facts are presented… kinda like putting salt and pepper on your 'taters before you even taste 'em.

Take the politicians, toss in a couple of "concerned citizens" and a few environmental nimby's and even the most pleasant working sessions can become a forum for negativity. The most pathetic of the "concerned citizens" are those who have made a good living, raised a family, and retired with better than average benefits from a mine and then sit back and talk about how devastating mines are.

The worst part of it is that those local citizens who support the development are not apathetic, they are at work making a living or at home caring for family. Look's like Kennecott's next big job is going to be prodding their supporters into action. [08.26.2004]

Physician, Heal Thyself

Taking a page from the anti-everything environmentalist's playbook in Wisconsin, the Michigan branch of "SAM" (that's "Stop All Mining") has put together another opposition group called the MPASM (Medical Professionals Against Sulfide Mining). This official sounding group will contend that the Kennecott Project is going to pose a health risk to area residents and they will drag out a bunch of literature on sulfides.

Now this old prospector has had the good fortune to work professionally with a number of excellent and qualified members of the medical profession in his lifetime. And you know what? I don't know a single ethical medical professional who would come out and support the hypothesis that a health risk exists to area residents before they have had the opportunity to review this project and study the results of a mining professional's review of the project. Also, having worked with a great number of these opposition groups, I know that all they have to have is one or two people with medical affiliations to call it a group of "medical professionals". Then they will parade this group before the local media while shouting " the sulfides are coming, the sulfides are coming", set up a web site with links that refer to every negative issue that has come to light in the last 75 years, plug in a bunch of members from other anti-mining groups, and Viola! - a genuine official sounding rabble-rousing crusade to protect the people from the bad old mining bunch. Unfortunately, a lot of people won't go to the trouble to think for themselves, but will listen to and believe the sulfide-spouting anti-development groups with the official sounding name. [9.15.2004]

 

Kennecott's First Advisory Meeting

Don't you just love it when an organization attempts to be a good corporate citizen and their opposition whines because they did not get to approve of or participate in the process?

Kennecott Minerals put together an advisory group to get the real issues and concerns on the table so that they can be addressed during the mine planning and permitting process. But wouldn't you know that before the first meeting ended, the anti-everything crowd makes comments like "It's a joke" and start whining because "the real public did not get to participate". Get real people! Why in the world would a company want to provide a platform for the "chicken little" nay-sayers to get up and spew their "sulfide" and "acid mine drainage" script while those interested parties have to sit and listen?

The anti-everything organizations will have plenty of public opportunities to "share their knowledge" about mining during the permitting process. Kennecott should be applauded for their willingness to share information with the public at this early stage, and they should not have to sponsor a forum for their opponents negativity. This Ol' Prospector is happy to see the mining company take the lead and not cave in to those that are not willing to have a meaningful dialog. [10.20.2004]

Support Mining Reform Now

Well, the Ol' Prospector is relieved to see that a concerted effort to reform the 1872 Mining Law is being made by legislators and the mining industry. Hopefully in the next two years, the window of opportunity for change will provide the impetus to modernize the 132 year-old mining law. We need to make these changes before we are saddled with an administration that is not supportive or is even opposed to mining. Sure makes this old reprobate shake in his boots to think of what this industry would be doing right now if John Kerry had won the election. Come to think of it, there wouldn't even be a mining industry. If less than ten percent of all exploration budgets were spent in the United States last year, the Kerry crew would have eliminated this country from the minerals exploration race altogether, much to the delight of his anti-everything supporters. Industry activists and individual mining supporters alike need to unite and get behind mining reform while we have the opportunity. [12.10.2004]

Watch The Backdoor

Hang on to your beat up old hard hat partner, the Ol' Prospector is happy to report that one of the most stringent set of sulfide mining rules in the U.S.A. was recently approved and forwarded to the governor of Michigan for signature. It is hard to believe that a diverse set of individuals representing regulatory, legislative, mining and environmental viewpoints sat down and hammered out a comprehensive set of mining rules that all parties say they can live with. The state legislature worked hard to convert the committee recommendations to a bill that provided for unprecedented mining oversight and now the finalized bill is on its way to the governor. That, of course, is the good news!

Now stay tuned for the rest of the story. . . . . . . . . . . .

Behind that façade of agreement and cooperation lies a seething pool of discontent and liberal negativity that the Upper Peninsula of Michigan has never before seen.

Flashback - - - Crandon, Wisconsin, circa 1977 - 1979

……. the anti-everything crowd is developing a work plan which includes the creation of a myriad of networked websites of misinformation; about 20 to 25 individuals are in the process of forming anywhere from 20 to 30 anti-mining groups with official sounding names; behind-the-scenes anti-mining leaders (those that do not want to be recognized by their neighbors) are beginning the indoctrination of the anti-mining followers and whipping the numerous liberal appendages of the official-sounding groups into a frenzy of "stop the mine" activity; local, in-state and imported "consultants and experts" are being assembled for a rash of educational and informative presentations and town hall meetings concerning the dire effects of whatever phase of mining activity is currently taking place. Opposition to multi-national mining interests is being exploited and the negative effects of every conceivable mineral, compound and mining additive are being researched to uncover any dirt. Old newspapers are researched to locate stories of environmental problems created by out of date techniques and methodologies. Special squads of the anti-mining "followers" are being trained to seek-out and secure the assistance of liberal media contacts of the Dan Rather ilk. Several of the "anti" groups are arranging to imbed media contacts, educators, concerned sportsmen and special interest groups within legitimate organizations. Tribal contacts are being secured and manipulated for their statewide and even national impact.

Now if you could go back and check the newspaper archives from the Crandon mine era, mining companies and interested supporters of Kennecott's Michigan Project can readily see the parallels of the "stop the mine" organizations. Hey now, this old prospector can assure you that these groups are already active and working to prevent development before it can begin by propagating grassroots negativity. As they say, this old prospector has done been there and done that. [12.13.2004]

And In The Beginning...

Well folks, this old rock knocker hardly got the words out of his mouth when anti-mining tactic # 1A, "Political Pyrotechnics", appeared in an AP article. It seems that even before Governor Granholm can sign the new mining bill into law, U.S. Rep. Stupak already opposes the state legislation because the details of enforcement were not apparent when he looked through the proposed law. Gosh, can you imagine that? Kinda like looking for that cart pushing the horse?

Anti-mining tactic #1A is defined as a concerted effort by a select group of mining opponents or lobbyist(s) to bend the ear of a negative-oriented politician and gain support for undermining legitimate efforts to move a development project forward. In this case, Rep. Stupak, much like his counterpart state Sen. Spencer Black across the border in Wisconsin used to do, lays down a barrage of negative "concerns" long before the legal process has had time to fully develop. This creates an immediate cloud of suspicion and raises the intensity of opposition in a prejudicial play of smoke and mirrors. Tactic #1B, soon to follow, will be the introduction of the "Chicken Little" syndrome.

It never ceases to amaze me how intelligent and informed individuals can oppose legislation before the regulatory agencies have had the opportunity to develop administrative rules and enforcement policies and procedures. The regulators often have a hard enough time doing their job and this old codger is not beyond giving them a hard time when he thinks they deserve it, but for heaven's sake Rep. Stupak, give them the opportunity to do the job they are qualified to do. Hey, this ol' prospector has no problem with legitimate opposition to the project, the process, or the protection. He just hates dealing with people who shake out a liberal dose of salt and pepper on their food before they taste it.

As has been pointed out before, minerals are found where they were formed. You can rest assured that Kennecott would have preferred that their Eagle Deposit not be located at the headwaters of the Salmon-Trout River on the Yellow Dog Plains. However, the simple fact is that the nickel and copper minerals are located exactly where they were formed eons ago. Geological types, using their education and God-given talent, were fortunate enough to discover this long-hidden deposit These same individuals were then willing to sit down with environmentalists, regulatory staff and sportsmen to develop laws that they all agree will allow the recovery of the minerals while protecting the environment. Of course, in all likelihood, the environmental types worked for consensus knowing that whatever the outcome they would be able to elicit pyrotechnic support from the politically negative.

Friends, the "How to stop a mine" playbook is now open. Stay tuned for the next chapter. [12.17.2004]

 

Phase 2, Stay Tuned….

Folks, if you happened to pay any attention to the most recent gospel according to the Ol' Prospector, you would be aware that the next phase of the anti-mining tactics that was predicted was the introduction and hysterical spread of the "Chicken Little" syndrome. This is where the anti-mining consortium goes out and gathers signed petitions by the armload; gets a genuine negative spokesperson placed on every town board, county board, school board and almost every other type of board you can devise including headboards and washboards. These spokespersons are then armed with all sorts of erroneous and half-truth inflammatory anti-mining, anti-development ammunition and then, amazingly, just happen to be the persons that are selected to be speaker for the board whenever a radio, TV, or newspaper reporter magically appears at any well-orchestrated "the sky is falling" meeting.

The more vocal members of this group then become responsible for defacing local properties with anti-mining graffiti reminiscent of inner-city gangs…the results, be they negative slogans on a stable or gang markings on a highway overpass, are the same. They serve to spread the word that the area is inhabited by a number of intolerant, unsophisticated, individuals whose attitude is the now famous "don't confuse me with facts, my mind is already made up".

What this old pyrite pirate finds so ironic is that the spokesperson for the leading local anti-mining group has the audacity to make the statement that the upcoming meeting "will not be a debate on the issue of mining, but a chance for concerned citizens to give feedback to their representatives". Would you believe that the "concerned citizens" who turn out for this meeting are really not going to the meeting to debate the issue of mining?

Another representative of the anti-everything group is reported to have said that the only thing the citizens of this community want to see is empirical science. Well ain't that loverly??? According to my latest web definition, empirical science is that which is based on experience or observational information and not necessarily on proven scientific data. In other words folks, if you can't see it, it ain't so. But hey, this kind of blue smoke and mirrors rhetoric is pretty good to toss around in front of politicians and easily persuaded neighbors, don't you think? [2.18.05]

The Meeting

Goodness folks, the meeting of the Big Bay Bunch came off Saturday with over a hundred people in attendance specifically to oppose the Kennecott mining operation. This is the same meeting that one of the leaders of the anti-alls said will not be a debate on the issue of mining, but a chance for concerned citizens to give feedback to their representatives….. so much for feedback other than pure anti-mining rhetoric.

I guess it is correct to say that this was not a debate on the issue of mining when you have an individual state that they are not convinced that the lawmakers in attendance fully grasped the intensity of the opposition and that the politicians don't really understand how much the mine is not wanted. Face it people, this was the foundation meeting of the "Chicken Little" anti-Kennecott campaign.

You are starting to see bunches of "organizations" come into existence and each group will now begin to circulate numerous petitions of opposition which will be signed by each of the other organizations and then they will create anti-mining web sites which will be linked to each other and soon there will appear to be a solid wall of opposition to mining. It is estimated that the number of persons vocally opposed to the Forest County (Crandon) mining operation in it's heyday was less than 400, including members of sportsmen's groups and environmental activists from across the state. A head-count of the local citizens not represented by these groups who were truly opposed to mining was less than 85 people. So there you can see how a small group of inter-twined, vocally opposed, grass-roots anti-mining activists with the aid of some out-of-town and out-of-state radicals and experienced organizers can drive a project into non-existence.

When these groups present a petition of more than 3000 signatures from an area with a population of less than 500, ask them who signed the petitions, where they are from and who spearheaded the signature collection. This old reprobate had the opportunity to be solicited for his signature recently and the young lady holding the clipboard asked him to sign the paper if he was opposed to having his groundwater contaminated and his land values decreased. Hey, her appeal was so good I almost signed the petition myself!! Come on folks, wake up before the tangled web is spun and you end up like a worm in a cocoon. [02.20.05]

Cranking It Up Another Notch

For those of you interested in the continuing saga of the "stop the mine" organizations, this here ol' prospector done tol' you that the initial activity in the next phase was to increase the number of "active" anti-mining groups and to crank up the number and frequency of their "informational meetings". This will be followed by a push to give the meetings the perceived appearance of credibility by importing "experts" from out of town who have experience at slowing down the development process. As a matter of fact, one of the websites which supports the anti's already touts a recently invited, out-of-state educator as having been a "lifelong scholar". Now, since I ain't never seen one of those critters afore, I might just have to go to this meeting to see what one looks like. The website credits and promotes this environmental activist / educator with several publications which just happen to have been written about three decades ago when he first initiated his socialistic battle against the old Exxon Minerals group down in Wisconsin. His appearance is timed to kick off the formation of increased numbers of anti-everything groups sponsoring a plethora of "save the environment" websites

Friends, it is pretty simple to understand the politics that feed the bulk of these anti-development groups. They are first and foremost members of the "NO Change" society. They are aided by the "Not In My BackYard (NIMBY"s)", and then followed by ever increasing hysteria of the anti-establishment, anti-corporation, and anti-"any kind of development" organizations, all of whom have a feeding frenzy on students, seniors, and other gullible groups.

These groups do not care about the fact that an individual or a company owns or controls the surface rights, owns or controls the subsurface mineral rights, or that they meet or exceed compliance with all federal, state and local environmental and development regulations. They just don't care….its' ok to trample on the rights of the corporation, but heaven forbid that you try to prevent them from trampling the vegetation during one of their protests. They believe that they have the right to trespass on corporate land to protest the development, but yell when a neighbors kid takes a shortcut across their own backyard. They think nothing of utilizing the corporate lands for recreational purposes such as snowmobiling, but go postal if the corporate owner decides to widen or improve the road across land that the corporation already owns.

As you know, our state regulators are charged with the responsibility of protecting the environment and ensuring that the rules which protect the environment are adhered to by the corporation. These anti's first try to get the rules changed to make it impossible to meet the requirements and, failing that, they attack the regulators for doing their job. Now we all know that there are a few regulators who, outside of the public view, secretly support the anti-mining agenda. However, except for lengthening the timelines with a little foot-dragging, the track record of the Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota regulatory employees has been one of fairness. These employees are knowledgeable and well educated in their fields of expertise, but receive little if any credit compared to the imported "expert" educators who have minimal knowledge of technical issues. And did you ever notice that whenever a "qualified" person speaks long enough on behalf of the anti-mining contingency you can almost always uncover a personal bias against the specific development.

This old reprobate doesn't know what it will take for the silent majority to react to these few vocal opponents. He does know that his initial call to arms told Michigan developers that the opposition was using the "Stop the Exxon - Crandon" playbook. By now it should be crystal clear. Whenever the anti's take to dragging in the old Wisconsin retreads and their 30 year old studies you know they are digging in for a long battle. Its time for the proponents of development to do battle with the forces of negativity. The proponents need to attend these anti meetings en masse and start asking questions to unmask the "experts". There are a number of active, real-life technical supporters who should be more than willing to help the proponents develop an arsenal of supportive ammunition. Hey, it's just about time to start fighting fire with fire don't you think? Even the old prospector is ready to pop his "One-A-Day Plus Iron" and slip on his body armor. [03.17.2005]

 

Mining Doesn't Have To Be Gamble

Well, this old reprobate feels compelled to comment on an interesting happening last week. The Mole Lake Chippewa community launched a formal fundraising effort to pay off the $8 million dollar note they signed for their share of the purchase price of the old Forest County (nee: Crandon) mine. The funds raised will be put into the Wolf River Protection Fund, a non-profit venture.

Now it seems to me that if the full funding is not raised by this effort, there is still a way to offset the potential foreclosure on the land. This old timer suggests that the "Wolf River Protection Fund" be used to advance the water treatment technology necessary to insure protection of the Wolf River and provide for a more efficient environmental mining plan.

You know, folks, the tribal community stands to make a bundle if and when that mine becomes a reality. The business venture into mining stands to make multi-millions and that's no gamble. And, folks, this is a winner all around because contractors and employees of the mine would visit the casinos, the local businesses and residents would have more disposable income to spend at the casinos, and tourists and visitors would come around to see a modern mining venture and they would also drop dollars at the casinos. All that's needed to make this thing work is the right environmental ingredient. [04.17.2005]

 

Sediment Creates Problem

From our Michigan News Bureau, I read that the spring runoff washed out a big section of the new road leading to Kennecott's ore deposit. Now anyone living in the northwoods knows that spring runoff can create havoc with roads, old and new, and obviously sending sediment into the Salmon Trout River in not a good thing and certainly not something that Kennecott anticipated or desired.

However, in this old timer's experience, the spring runoff each year changes the local landform to some extent. Some years nothing is noticeable, in other years major changes occur. In all my years of experience, a single sedimentation event has never created irreversible consequences in a stream the size of the Salmon Trout. And, as a point of note, sometimes trying to remove the sedimentation from the stream stirs up more sediment than was originally deposited. You know, nature often tends to be much better at healing itself than with man's intervention.

But what really gets this old geezer's goat is the sheer stupidity of comments like that from the executive director of the local anti-everything group that, "the incident confirms her doubts that mining can be conducted at the site without harming the ecosystem." For crying out loud, does this individual really think that this incident was in anyway associated with actual mining operations? However, being well versed in the art of creating public mistrust with negative spin, this individual understands the purpose of such a comment very well. I wonder what her comments would have been if the road that failed happened to lead to a public parking area used for hiking, snowmobiling or even bird watching?? [04.17.2005]

 

The Myths Begin To Unravel

Well folks, did this old rock knocker not tell you what the next phase of the anti-mining and anti-everything playbook would be??? That's right, going after the politicians with a constant barrage of whining and complaining and cajoling, presenting them with inches high stacks of signatures from kindred anti-everything organizations, and soliciting the aid of sympathetic news media who are looking for a news story with a certain amount of controversy, a little element of uncertainty, and always involving any multi-national corporation that can be the big, bad corporate villain.

The way to win the heart of the politicians is to take a situation or an issue and use it to beat the big "bad guy" over the head…. take for instance the road washout on Triple A. The fact that there was a washout of a road in the springtime is without dispute. Was the road built to engineering design standards for a road of the Triple A category? I believe that facts will ascertain that regardless of who built the road crossing, there may have been a problem because of the volume of water. Were there no other road washouts or water problems in the county? According to some local residents, the subject roadway was not the only road to create a sediment discharge and there is some suggestion that there may have been some vehicular damage to the fill prior to the breech on Triple A. Let us hope that the breech was not initiated by some malicious intent on the part of those who are now complaining the loudest. Hummm?


At this stage of the process, I believe that asking the Governor of any state to take a public stand is not only hokey, but also asinine to place the office of Governor in a position of making a decision before his or her staff have had time to evaluate the project and make a recommendation as to its merits. I fully expected, and was happy to hear, that a representative of the Governor stated that there would be no response to the washout incident or to a decision on the project pending a review and report of the various issues.

Now folks, the "Chicken Little" syndrome I talked about previously is really growing rampant on this washout issue. According to a reported statement in the local media, the concerns of the whining anti-mining group centers around the fear of two possible mining disasters, neither of which has a tinkers damn to do with the road fill failure. Their concerns: 1) leakage that could produce acid mine drainage, and 2) subsidence, which they believe could potentially collapse the headwaters of the river. In so many words, we have a sedimentation situation created by spring run-off (unless helped along by person or persons unknown), which is being cited as the precursor of unmitigated acid mine drainage, followed by the collapse of the headwaters of the river, whatever that means. Good gosh almighty, these people surely must have learned logic from Mad Magazine's own Alfred E Newman… you know, if a horse eats apples and "Little Johnny" eats apples, then "Little Johnny" must be a horse!!

The sad part of this whole story is that when repeated often enough, people start to believe it. It's like what Newsweek did when they made up the story about guards at Gitmo flushing the Koran down the toilet or when Dan Rather made up the story about Bush's National Guard Service. Folks, the media, and those who use the media as propaganda props, will one of these days meet their match. The rabid groups that used liberal creative media and easily persuaded enviro-politicians to create the negative atmosphere that drove exploration and mining interests out of Wisconsin will, in this old reprobate's opinion, not succeed in making the sky fall this time. [05.17.2005]

A Big Hello!

Apologies to all mining and exploration interests out there wondering if the old prospector had finally cashed in his chips. Sorry, friends and my little anti-everything buddies, but the lure of new adventures enticed this old rock-knocker out of his rocking chair on the shaded porch of his little log cabin to do a some reconnaissance prospecting out in the western gold country, a little volcanogenic massive sulfide review down in the arid state of Wisconsin, and developing "some thinking-outside-the-box" concepts down in the old Wisconsin-Illinois-Iowa lead-zinc district. You know, with the ever-increasing encroachment of population on prospective areas and the demands for newer environmental methodology, the tasks of geologists, geophysicists, mining engineers, environmental managers and even public affairs people seems to grow exponentially every month or two.

What if new technology allowed mining to be conducted close to populated areas using controlled development and extraction methods that kept the air and water in its present state? Sound like the old miner has been smoking something other than Prince Albert in the old corncob pipe? Well, pipe dreams have a way of coming true; it just takes time and industrial commitment.

But, back to the business at hand. Gosh, a bunch of stuff has happened in the old goat's absence. Lets take it from the top!

Decision Time

It looks like Kennecott it getting closer to making a decision on the feasibility of a nickel-copper mine on the Yellow Dog Plains south of Big Bay. Their Project Eagle is in the midst of a pre-feasibility study that will result in a mining decision by Kennecott sometime this fall.

According to the State Geologist, Kennecott has indicated that they may file permits for the mine as early as November. In anticipation, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will be hosting a pre-application meeting on August 4 at Northern Michigan University. Kennecott officials are seeking comments and constructive criticism as they put together their final assessment and hope to keep the local communities informed and involved as they proceed through the permitting process. [07.17.2005]

What's It Gonna Take To Make Them Happy?

Hey-Hi-de-heidy-ho - what's it gonna take to make the anti-everything crowd happy? Forget it people, it ain't never ever gonna happen. Lets regurgitate some of the concerns being expressed by the Big Duo (NWF and TU, of course). First comes the environmental assault where sulfide mining and acid mine drainage will contaminate streams, poison groundwater, and screw-up the habitat of the coaster brook trout. Second comes the socioeconomic assault where the mine will have too few employees for too short a time. And Third, the common NIMBY war cry, " We want everything to stay just the way it is now" (which is short for saying, "Close the gates. I am here and nobody else needs to come in,")

Having just returned from places where mining is an honorable and respected way of life, somewhat akin to the way of life that the UP and Minnesota knew in the yesteryears, I cannot help but feel sorry for those people whose entire life is consumed in trying to lay roadblocks in the path of progress and whose every waking hour is spent trying to come up with disasters, catastrophes, and tragedies that can be used in story plots, headlines, and dramatic public performances to delay or eliminate development activities. It appears that in many places that the pendulum of public tolerance is beginning to swing back to reality. People are beginning to get tired of the same old song and dance every time some natural resource development tries to get off the ground. The whines are beginning to sound the same every time….be it mining, roads, power lines or what have you. In the near future, the return of rail service will probably be met with the same resistance from the same crowd.

First of all, mining does not have to result in acid drainage if it is done with planning and care. The poisoning of streams and destruction of trout habitat is no longer permitted in the mining scenario. However, the poisoning of streams and destruction of fish habitat is occurring daily at an alarming rate - not by mining, but by the demands and thirst of population growth. The anti-mining crowd is a participant in this expansion and growth. They want their houses out of the cities and in the woods where they can commune with nature, but in time, nature will change because of their presence. They want recreational trails through the woods so they can ride their snowmobiles and ATV's in pursuit of nature, never accepting the responsibility of sediment runoff from where the tracks have cut ruts in the earth nor the fumes of a dozen snowmobiles fouling the pristine air and making it impossible for persons to breathe for tens of minutes after the procession of fume-belching machines have passed by. Is the noise of a snowmobile or ATV not pollution? Is the demand for parking areas and access roads for gas-guzzling hemi's and tag-along trailers not responsible for the destruction of forested lands that provide habitat for any number of their biological inhabitants.

Come on you anti-everything people - grow up and start accepting some responsibility for things that happen. Your gasoline fumes, noise, and trail erosion may not be as environmentally noticeable as a mine might be, but in the end you wreak as much, if not more, havoc on our environment. Your grownup toys and your pursuits fly in the face of your environmental pleas. [07.17.2005]

 

Calling All Radios

Well here we go again folks….the latest in the line of anti-everything groups to be rolled out is something called the Great Lakes Radio Consortium….dag nabbit, now even radio's are grouping together. These radios have a web site that has a picture of acid mine drainage from some unknown location right smack dab in the center of the page. The connection is obvious under the heading "New mining operation worries neighbors" (However, It doesn't say whether or not radio's are worried).

An accompanying article, taken right out of the anti's playbook, uses the typical activists nomenclature such as "a multinational mining company" and " the shore of Lake Superior". One good line is "some mining experts and the community don't want the mine to be built" --- of course, those mining experts are unnamed and the community negatives are surely those that have been worked into a frenzy by the anti's. Naturally, they bring up the profit motive by Kennecott (Why in the heck would a company want to put up with their antics if they couldn't make a profit?)

Some other quotes:

"Scientists and activists say that this nickel mine could be even worse than the iron and copper mines of the past." - (We don't know who the scientists are, but we sure know all about the activists)

"No human error, no design flaws, no natural disasters that are going to cause an impact... I don't think that any company can say yes to that honestly." (Folks, let's be honest with each other for a moment, can any person or company make that statement? Try constructing a building, making a car, building a road, doing an organ transplant, or walking across the street. Nothing in this world worth doing is without risk unless you sit on your butt and even then you stand the chance of getting struck by lightening, washed away by a tsunami, or fried by a short in your radio.)

I understand that one of the "experts" contributing to this story and assisting the anti-mining movement is a person who used to work as a "geologist". Obviously, if one is unable to work in one's chosen scientific field, then one should seek employment with the people who helped get you to the unemployment line in the first place…..but, I digress, because if the individuals truly had any significant geologic or mining background they would not make "scientific" statements such as "groundwater contamination is possible and would be dangerous" and then in elementary fashion say that "Probably the most likely event is an accidental release from the mine. All mines have problems. It's likely that someone won't turn a valve the right way or a big storm comes and there's an overflow." "…a mine collapse would be the most destructive. But, even for the accidents that will not devastate the environment, the company and the community should plan them because they will happen". Folks, this rhetoric is purely for the purpose of inciting ordinary folks into opposing something that has not been fully explained.

Believe it or not my friends, this proposed mine and the hikers, kyakers and fishermen who travel the local roads can co-exist. The store owners who worry about tourist dollars are like the person who steps over a silver dollar to pick up a dime. Why do they think that tourists will stop coming? Jeeze, more people will be coming here to see the activity than ever came to hike. But talking to people whose minds are already warped into believing that mining is bad, is difficult at best…. It is the old "don't confuse me with facts, my mind is already made up" scenario all over again. [07.25.2005]

Holy Smoke! Where Did All These Projects Come From?

Just got sit down in me old rocking chair, picked up the local news, and saw where the new comprehensive energy bill just got signed into law. Whoa Nellie, be danged if it don't look like the anti-everything group is going to have their collective hands full. As I read the details of the energy bill, I couldn't help but wonder what their position is going to be when that independent mid-west power producer proposes a farm of wind turbines to be built on a hillside overlooking Lake Superior in the next few years? And then … a requirement for utilities must meet federal reliability standards for the nation's electric transmission grid means that more transmission lines will be constructed in the mid-west to meet those requirements, particularly when Minnesota, Wisconsin and the UP need to be beefed-up. And then … the bill also spurs construction of new nuclear power reactors by offering loan guarantees and "risk insurance" against regulatory delays for the initial units to be built. That means that the anti-everything bunch will join the anti-nukes to protest construction and siting for the first time in a couple of decades. And then … since the energy bill proposes new nuclear power plant construction, it follows that some of the older versions are going to be decommissioned. Guess what? Decommissioning will most likely start the search anew for a nuclear waste repository in the eastern U.S.

Now, if I let my feeble old mind wander back several months, I remember talking with an old geo-educator buddy who happened to mention that he recently visited a number of outcrops and new road cuts down near the Wolf River Batholith. At the time I wondered why, after nearly 20 years, he had a renewed interest in the batholith … now perhaps I have that answer. In any case, it looks like the coming year could be pretty interesting for our anti- constituents. Good gosh, with the price for base and precious metals continuing to rise, makes one wonder if the old Forest County mining project isn't once again being given a long, hard look. Stay tuned friends, it looks to be a busy year. [08.02.2005]

 

Retreat of the Mining Equipment

Last week, without pomp and circumstance nor moist eye, the last metallic bones from the skeletal remains of a once-proud venture were trucked away from the former Nicolet Minerals Visitors Site.

As the mining equipment reached the top of the rise, a loud sigh of relief could be heard. NO, the sigh was not from the happy mining opponents; it was from the equipment itself, for no respectable tools of the mining trade wants to spend their remaining days sitting in the front yard of a newspaper office.

It cannot be known where that equipment will end its life, but as the truck disappeared over the horizon, a cloud in the shape of the phoenix, unnoticed by almost all of the observers, was outlined overhead. The phoenix, a symbol of immortality, resurrection and triumph over adversity, will one day reappear from the ashes of the pioneer mining spirit. The old phoenix was tired after 30 years of fighting, arguing and waiting for sincere local support which never materialized. In this case, the end marks a new beginning. [08.05.2005]

A Christmas Message

Well Buckaroo's, this old boulder buster is finally back at home, and hopefully not just for the Holiday's. But before climbing back into the saddle again, this old prospector wants to take the time to wish each and every one of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It is this time of year that differences in opinion should be put aside and all people should celebrate and share the true meaning of the season.

It has been a long, winding road for this old reprobate the last couple of months. Believe it or not, there is a lot of exploration activity going on in this great country of ours. Whole new areas are opening up and areas previously considered unlikely are now seeing a renewed interest. What is really nice is the fact that old geological retreads, such as this old rock knocker, are being called back to help out with the added workload because the weak prices and strong environmental opposition over the last decade or more has made experienced exploration types more difficult to find.

Sometime in the early part of the New Year this Old Prospector will be loading his gold pan, shovel and rock pick on the back of old "One Ear" (his sure-footed burro) and moving on to a new and exciting website that is less geographically restrictive and caters more to the men and women who work the exploration and mining venues everyday. Oh, don't worry, the old prospector will still continue to report the antics of the liberal, anti-everything environmental activists. He will continue to counter those non-governmental organizations that use distorted, erroneous or blatantly false information without providing valid scientific backup and whose primary agenda is to use fear to mount an attack against a project or issue primarily to secure donations to further their own extremist, seemingly noble, cause.

While the webmaster seeks to roust up some more sponsors for the new venture, this old prospector wants to offer an opportunity to those geological and mining types out there to have some input as to what they would like to see included in a pro-mining and development site. Please feel free to send your comments or ideas to webmaster@forestcountyonline.com.

Again, a sincere wish for a Very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with hope and blessings to each of our readers.

 

How to Start the Delay Tactics

My, Oh My! I recently read an article that noted one of the many comments made to the Department of Environmental Quality's hearings on the Michigan mining rules was by a former member of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Crandon Mine Review Team. Really! Imagine That! Makes a lot of sense for the anti-everything groups to reach out to that particular set for assistance. A lot of that review team is now retired because they made, or came darn near making, a career out of reviewing the Crandon mine data. Whenever there was light at the end of the tunnel for the mining company, another item of concern suddenly appeared and a whole new research effort was initiated. As an old rock knocker, I find it incredulous that certain of the DNR review staff were never able to finish the job they were asked to do. Over 22 years of review without a decision…. it is certainly lucky they are that they were not employed by private industry! And now what do I read?? Members of the old review team are bringing their expertise up to Michigan to see if they can help prolong the process long enough that the mining company will throw up both hands and go home. Fortunately, I detect more willingness in the Michigan DEQ to attack the problem head on, work through the issues and processes, and get on with business. Contrary to the WDNR process of thinking they were put in their position to be part of the mine design team, the MDEQ wants to use their qualifications and training to make decisions on the workability of a mining plan placed before them.

The ex-Wisconsin reviewer was quoted as stating that "…… it is difficult for me to conclude that the DEQ could possibly implement a comprehensive metallic mine permitting process." And, you know what, based on the experience in Wisconsin, it really did take several dozen individuals on staff to review plans which were never ever implemented. In Wisconsin, there had to be a guaranteed answer for every single eventuality imaginable and these were followed by a series of never-ending, much-studied "Yah but, what if…" scenarios.

Before you misconstrue this old prospector's comments, let me repeat that the Wisconsin DNR was comprised mostly of conscientious and dedicated individuals and I certainly am not intending to point any fingers…. just pointing out that the concept of delaying and prolonging decisions is an inherent quality of the environmental management staff that was used and will continue to be used by those set on derailing the process. It is truly unfortunate that instead of writing their own set of standards to evaluate and judge a mining project, Wisconsin chose to use playbooks written by the anti-everything organizations and their well placed political friends. [12.30.2005]

 

Opposed to the Rules

Well, while I am on the subject of Michigan's mining rules, I also read that one of the local Representatives submitted formal comments to the Department of Environmental Quality. Now this old prospector has not actually seen the official letter and is basing his opinions on several newspaper / internet accounts, but the comments certainly confirm his belief's that the anti-everything groups seem to have the Representative's ear.

It certainly appears that the Representative has the same identical concerns that have been repeatedly voiced by the anti-everything groups…. hauling of ore, permanent disposal facilities, and the definition of contaminated", to be exact.

Just wondered if others out there have noticed the same exact concerns. [01.05.2006]

 

More Delay Tactics - It Never Ends, Does It?

Guess What??? Now that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has released their final report to the Michigan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, the players are flocking to the forefront to tout or decry the results. The anti-everything groups are, of course, objecting to almost every aspect of the rules where their points of view were not included, and even where they got their way they are whining that the rules are too weak.

The lead horse is of course is the National Wildlife Federation which has stated that they will reserve comment until they have finished a complete review. A translation of this statement means that they need an opportunity to rewrite selected parts of the rules and then buy time for their political lapdogs to compose opposition because, after all, they are much more qualified than the DEQ at making rules. Right? Other "anti" groups are lobbying the administrative rules committee to reject the DEQ report because it does not do the job of they expected with respect to making a mine operator accountable for their actions. I expect that a DEQ action such as pulling the mining permit would be sufficient reason for a mine operator to stick to the regulations.

Hey, this old fossil is sure that there are going to be some tweaking of the rules before the permits to mine are issued, but nothing will ever quiet the anti-everything groups short of blocking any mining activity. Oh my, folks, stay tuned for the action to come….it will be a sight. [01.11.2006]

 

Go Pro

Well, the Old Prospector finally got to hear some good news for a change. Coming back after a little work in the Silver State, Prospector finally can see the result of a pro-active agenda by the supporters of the Eagle Project. This is an action that this old rock knocker has proposed since back in the days of the once proud Crandon Project down in Wisconsin. One of the main reasons that the Crandon deposit isn't being mined today is certainly not a lack of desire by the mining companies, but the lack of support from the local community, especially lack of support created by the absence of positive community response to irresponsible rhetoric and outright false information provided by the anti-mining, anti-everything groups and their members.

The addition of this group to the mix will bring (as FOX says) a "fair and balanced" argument to the table. The "Citizens for Responsible Mining" [www.citizensforresponsiblemining.org] was formed to represent the pro-mining segment within the community. There is a lot of local support for the Kennecott project, but many of these supporters, as they were at Crandon, are reluctant to stand up and be counted. These supporters now have a creditable venue on which they can rely to provide accurate information on mining, sulfide mining, and reclamation.

What better way to communicate accurately to the community than by having people who have "been there and done that" in charge. A consulting mining engineer and a retired mine manager are the perfect backbone for a strong pro-mining presence and other professionals can now come out of the closet and become more supportive because of their presence. Local citizens will now be able to deflect negative peer pressure by directing anti-mining rhetoric directly to the Citizens for Responsible Mining for answers.

I have never had the opportunity to meet or know the Peterson brothers. However, having promoted mining activities for more than 40 years, the Old Prospector wishes that he had been able to have them and their group protecting his back and providing positive support back when. A big "Welcome" to the Citizens for Responsible Mining and keep checking their website. [October 14, 2006]