The Topic that I propose to write my literary review on is the issues of Sulfide mining in the regions around the Boundary Waters. Main topics of discussion will be the pros and cons of a proposal made by several large mining company’s that want to capitalize on the mineral recourses of the Boundary Waters region. The most notable out of these companies is Polynet with the most amount of leverage and progression in enacting mining operations. The importance of this issue is substantial affecting the state of Minnesota environmentally, economically, and the risk to human health. While the economic gains for the region may be substantial it can be argued that regulation needs to be set up and enacted by such organizations as the EPA or DNR to …show more content…
With mining company Polylink claiming “We need the minerals!” “We have the know-how, we’ve have the labor, the financial resources, and the laws to do it here as well as or better than anywhere else in the world."(Breining, G. 2014, April 10). Along with these statements The Minnesota Department of Natural Recourses did an estimate and reported that schools would receive nearly $720 million over a 25-year period (LPSFC. (n.d.)). But on the other hand effects of sulfide mining is known to leach into the soil changing its pH level. What this does is prevents plants from getting vital nutrients they need to survive through a process known a liming (Nkongolo, K.,2013). To further understand the situation I also looked at other instances both internationally and nation wide were there might have been a similar situation to this. What a found was an instance at Yellowstone National Park. A company named Crown Mines proposed sulfide mining near this national park and more importantly the Yellowstone River. After the mine was built experts found that chemical sludge was being produced and being drained in the Yellowstone river. In response a large dam was built changing the region forever Gorman, S. (n.d. 1995). This ties into local concerns about the ST. Louis river that is a primary fishery resource for many native populations as well as an important agricultural