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They weren’t about to solve the Ely area’s most contentious issue, but both sides in the divisive debate over copper-nickel mining were represented and even found some common ground at an event last week.
More than 100 people gathered at the Ely Senior Center for the Jan. 31 forum put on by Ely’s Braver Angels chapter.
In a departure from other Braver Angels gatherings, which are largely informal and an attempt to bridge political divides, this one brought several proponents and opponents of copper-nickel mining in a panel-like discussion.
The groups shared their own personal history and opinions, questioned those with opposing views in a “fishbowl” type setting, and later caucused and came up with lists of values, concerns and ideas in hopes of finding some consensus with the opposite side.
Ideas ranging from a 20year ban on copper-nickel mining in the Boundary Waters watershed, or a concept that copper-nickel mining provides for vibrant communities, failed to gain any traction.
The groups, however, found shared concerns about Ely’s future including population loss and a lack of affordable housing, and child care.
They also shared hopes for a diverse economy, clean water, good health care, a resilient community and “hope and positive attitude.”
At the start of the roughly three-hour session, moderator Bruce McKenzie told participants “We’re here to understand others and explain our views - not to convince anyone to change their mind.”
Those speaking in support of proposed mining projects in the region were Bill Erzar, Angela Campbell, Peter Doran, Gerald Tyler and Julie Lucas, while the opponents were represented by Becky Rom, Peta Barrett, Rachel Hedlund, Steve Schon and Hudson Kingston.
Barrett, who moved to Ely roughly a decade ago and owns her own business, told the group “I’m here because I believe in protecting our clean water for generations to come.”
Kingston, an environmental lawyer, added that he believed “we agree a lot more than we admit,” although he said he is committed to “keeping the water drinkable and swimmable and finding a way to positively develop the economy here without sacrificing everything.”
Doran, a former Vermilion Community College instructor who came to Ely a half-century ago for work related to a proposed mining venture, said “I am guardedly optimistic about the potential to mine copper-nickel up here... the technology has changed.”
Longtime Elyite Bill Erzar, a retired steelworker, said he believes “copper-nickel is very crucial and important to the economy of this city and this area.”
Erzar cited steep declines in population and school enrollment as well as the loss of many businesses.
“We all like the clean water, the clean air,” said Erzar. “We don’t want to ruin any of that. We want to do this properly and revitalize the town.”
The groups were clearly divided about the potential economic benefits of proposed mining ventures such as the Twin Metals Minnesota project near Ely and the NewRange initiative, formerly known as PolyMet, between Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes.
Tyler, who heads Ely’s Up North Jobs, cited the hundreds of jobs as well as spin-off employment that is projected to result from the ventures and said “sadly, there is nothing on the horizon that will help the economy as much as copper- nickel.”
Campbell, an Ely council member, agreed and added “future mining will only give us more opportunities.”
Opponents, however, contend that copper-nickel mining will have a negative effect both on the economy and population, pointing to surveys showing that some residents plan to leave the area if new mining is approved.
“There are 30 businesses around the (Twin Metals) mine site that would be destroyed,” said Rom.
Barrett added that other issues hinder population growth in Ely.
“It’s a multifaceted problem,” she said. “There’s a lack of affordable housing, a lack of affordable health care. Those two are hangups. Even if you brought a non-polluting industry to town you’d have this problem.”
“Right now we don’t have housing for the few jobs that are available,” added Schon.
While the group seemed to find consensus on broader issues, including a healthy economy and environment in the Ely area, and hopes for improving access to housing and child care, members veered off when it came to potential solutions.
An idea by mining supporters that there be “confidence in regulators to make science-based decisions,” resulted in questioning by Rom.
She pointed to measures that have come from the U.S. Department of Interior to pull leases held by Twin Metals and to pursue a ban on mining on hundreds of thousands of acres of forest land in northeastern Minnesota.
“The federal government has laws in place on regulation and science-based decision-making,” said Rom. “Based on the regulatory process and science-based decisions the federal government has decided that copper mining is too risky and would permanently damage the Boundary Waters.”
“What you’re telling me is they’ve come up with everything,” Doran responded.
Ideas also drifted away from mining at times, with suggestions that the region pursue recycling e-waste as a possible industry, and that a housing czar be appointed to advance housing projects in Ely.
The groups ran out of time to complete the entire exercise, and the civil evening ended with some broad-based agreement, but little movement on the issue at hand.
“I think providing jobs in this community is what we need to do and if we can do this properly, I think copper- nickel is the way of the future,” said Erzar.
In opposition, Barrett said “I’m very worried about a toxic mine coming to Ely... We do have a thriving community. We don’t have to incorporate an industry that could damage the headwater forever.”
