Shifting resources

"How big is the Duluth Complex? Very, very large and the minerals contained there are in high demand in a growing world market..."

Most of us by now have read about or seen on the news what is happening up at Lake Mille Lacs. One of our great resources, Walleye fishing is in deep, deep trouble on that magnificent lake. However, this is not the first time Walleye fishing has been in trouble. Red Lake had to be shut down for 7 years to get the stock replenished. Nett Lake up by Ore also was in in trouble at one time. Right now, Mille Lacs is a mess and everybody up there is mad and finger pointing is in full bloom.

That led me to think about our state resources. What do we have for resources these days? Even though Mille Lacs is shut down for the rest of the season, we still have a wonderful tourism industry. Many, many good lakes with a ton of fish in them are still open for business. We have a huge agri-business industry. Lots of corn, lots of soybeans, and other crops. Some fields run as far as the eye can see. We also have a well managed and sustainable lumber industry. And dare I mention it, we have a boat load of yet to be mined minerals.

By an accident of nature, as well as millions of years of geologic development, one of the largest untapped mineral deposits in the world sits under Northeast Minnesota - the Duluth Complex. It is big. It is so big, as we keep discovering, it seems to gets bigger all the time. And what does it contain? Mostly copper-nickel. Lots and lots of copper-nickel. Plus it is thought to also contain titanium, gold and yes, even diamonds. 

And now here is the rub. It is located under one of the most pristine areas of the state. Unlike the Bakken Oil Fields in North Dakota which are located in the middle of nowhere, this resource is located under an environmentally sensitive area of the state. A mining accident where toxins could be spilled without control would be catastrophic. However, if the mining was done right, we could tap this resource thereby bringing in thousands of jobs and billions of dollars into our state. And do it without ruining the wilderness of our northland.

It will be interesting to see how our Governor addresses this vast mineral deposit in the final months of his (hopefully only) term. Will he be like our President and choose to shutter an industry based solely on the environment? Will he see any middle room where Poly Met and the "Greenies" can work together? My feeling on this is simple. As much as I love that part of the state (and I love it deeply), they need good paying jobs up there. Our taconite industry has become spotty. And the main reason for that is all the dumping our good friend China is doing.

As far as iron ore resources are concerned, we are yesterday's news. Sad to say, we really are. The new iron ore power brokers are Brazil, China, Russia and India. However, the minerals contained in the Duluth Complex are a much different story. They could make us a world player in the extraction and sale of copper-nickel resources. A big time world player.

Minnesota continues to be a state of vast opportunity, natural resources, and natural beauty. In these days of shifting resources, it pays to be nimble. We owe it to ourselves, and we sure owe it to our kids and grandchildren. Time to be smart on this one.