Save the Boundary Waters
A new and dangerous type of mining is being proposed near the Boundary Waters. Sulfide mining has never been done in Minnesota, often creates acid mine drainage, and leaks sulfuric acid and heavy metal contaminants into nearby waters.
Northern Minnesota’s treasures
The Boundary Waters, Minnesota’s pristine wilderness area, is a national treasure. Every year, more than 250,000 people escape to its remote lakes and forests to canoe, hike, camp and fish. In 1978 the Boundary Waters area was established as a protected wilderness — but that is not enough to keep it safe from new threats.
The Polymet company has proposed the first sulfide mine that, if built, threatens to leak sulfuric acid and heavy metal contaminants into the tributaries of the St. Louis River and Lake Superior. This kind of toxic mine drainage will turn water extremely acidic, jeopardize drinking water sources, kill fish and other wildlife, and destroy the habitat they depend on.
If approved, the Polymet mine will lay the groundwork for more mines that would be located only miles from the pristine Boundary Waters Wilderness. These mines could create acid mine drainage that flows directly into waterways that enter the Boundary Waters.
A legacy of toxic pollution from sulfide mining
Polymet has not yet been permitted because of the amount of pollution predicted to occur. In fact, in 2010 the Environmental Protection Agency gave the mine proposal a failing grade and blocked the proposal from moving forward as proposed.
Nearby states that have allowed sulfide mining are suffering the consequences — sulfuric acid has made water undrinkable and destroyed ecosystems. Cleanup is extremely costly and sometimes impossible, and taxpayers are often forced to foot the bill.
The mining companies claim that they have the technology to contain pollution created by the mines — but they don’t have the track record to back it up. One peer-reviewed study found that in all cases reviewed, mining companies claimed they would be able to contain toxic byproducts, but in 3 out of 4 cases their predictions were wrong and they polluted surrounding areas.
Join our campaign by sending a message to the EPA right now.
Urge the Environmental Protection Agency to prevent toxic sulfide mines near the Boundary Waters.
Key facts
- Acid mine drainage turns water extremely acidic, and can kill fish and wildlife.
- Pollution from proposed mines would further devastate Minnesota’s wild rice harvest, an important part of state heritage and a sacred grain for Minnesota tribal people.
- Sulfide mine pollution could increase mercury contamination in our state’s water. Mercury is a neurotoxin that can cause brain damage and developmental problems.
- They tried this before — and failed. In the 1970s small scale exploration operations led to acid mine drainage that still hasn’t been cleaned up. The new proposals are for much larger mines in the very same locations.