Precious Waters Flotilla Runs Aground In The 8th District Of Minnesota

Aurora Councilor Dave Lislegard and mining supporters converged quickly to meet the Precious Waters Flotilla Group on Friday, Sept. 22. At its first intended launch point, the precious waters flotilla group ran into opposition from those mining supporters in Aurora, Hoyt Lakes and surrounding iron range communities. Four adult anti-mining supporters showed up. It is interesting to note that these anti-mining folks showed up with a car and used a cell phone both of which are made with iron ore and precious metals. One would have to wonder where they believe these objects come from.  Local property owners were not willing to allow this group to trespass their property and local law enforcement was called to enforce this. Many good points of discussion were brought up to consider that should be thought through in a realistic manner. There is quite a bit of that not happening in certain environmental circles.

First Video Here: Mining Supporters In Place To Greet The Precious Waters Flotilla Group.

Law Enforcement in place to keep things civil and prevent trespassing by this group.

Second Video - A Discussion of issues took place which can be viewed here in this video: 

   

Time For The "Flotilla" To Hit the road and go paddle elsewhere.

Background Article Related to this interaction. Mesabi Daily Article: Mining supporters successfully raised trespassing issue; trip to Twin Cities doesn’t begin in Aurora. http://www.virginiamn.com/news/article_e7652bc0-0529-11e2-b519-0019bb2963f4.html

We Support Mining! Signs Are Available For Minnesota

If you would like to show your support for responsible mining in Minnesota and the communities, schools, people and the jobs that mining supports you can act now!

Signs are available from the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota. You can contact them here to request a sign.

http://www.taconite.org/contactus.php

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Why is this important to Minnesota? 


In Minnesota, the iron mining industry contributes to the local communities, region and state through jobs, production taxes, education programs and scholarships.
Minnesota’s Iron Mining Industry Statistics*

Direct employment	4,215 individuals
Average wage and benefit package	$100,000/year
Total hours worked:	8.9 million hours
The region's mines provide the highest paying technical jobs in the region.
Industry vendor employment	13,000 individuals
Iron mining is the main economic engine of the region - making other businesses and jobs possible
Financial impact	$3.1 billion/year
Minnesota's mining industry is ranked number one in gross product output - adding more than $3.1 billion annually to the regional economy. Domestic iron ore production is important to the security of our country.

Taxes
Production tax	$73.1 million payable 2012
Royalty payments	$34.3 million payable 2012
$49 million was paid in 2012 to state education programs by Minnesota's mining industry
K – 12 education	$36.6 million/year**
University of Minnesota trust funds	$12.4 million/year**
*Source: Iron Mining Association of Minnesota, 2012 **Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Department of Revenue, 2012
Looking forward
$94.1 million in production taxes estimated for 2013 - a $20 million increase. Production taxes are paid in lieu of property taxes. The increase is due to a three year average dropping 2009, which was marked by low production due to recession.
Estimated taxes from 2012 production, payable 2013:	$94,100,000
Distribution to Range schools:	$15,843,000
LGU's, counties, IRRRB and others:	$78,257,000

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