Pearson, S. (2015, Aug 23). In Minnesota, fight between mining and environment gets personal : Aljazeera America. Retrieved August 23, 2015, from http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/8/23/in-minnesota-fight-between-mining-and-environment-gets-personal.html

 

Twin metals Minnesota, owned by Chilean company Antofagasta has proposed building the largest underground mine in Minnesota. Copper sulfide mining, the type that is being proposed for the new mine, is dangerous because it creates sulfuric acid when copper sulfide is brought to the surface and the deposits sit under some of the nations most irreplaceable fresh water sources. The topic of the mine is controversial as it has divided public opinion between supporters who cite the boost in economic activity and job availability versus those who are afraid of the environmental risks.

 

The region in which the mine is proposed is flush with fresh water including the boundary waters lake superior and superior national forest which holds over 20 percent of the fresh water in the us national forst system. The type of mining can create sulfuric acid which in turn is leached by water from mine sites and turns into acid mine drainage which can contaminate lakes rivers and groundwater. This could pose serious reprocussions for the wildlife and for humans as the areas fresh water is a major source of drinking water and could risk contamination.