Slide 1Slide 2Inconvenient Truth #1 We Use the EarthSlide 4Inconvenient Truth #2 If it can’t be grown, it has to be minedInconvenient Truth #3 Everything comes from something, but something isn’t everywhereSlide 7Inconvenient Truth #4 Most of the world’s metal comes from sulfide mineralsNew Processing Technology for Sulfide OresAcid Mine DrainageSlide 11Slide 12Slide 13Inconvenient Truth #6 If we don’t mine it here, it will be mined somewhere else....BADLYSlide 15Slide 16Slide 17Slide 18Slide 19Slide 20Slide 21STEWARDSHIP: the individual’s responsibility to manage his life and property with proper regard to the rights of othersWebster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary (1987)Stewardship of Earth ResourcesStewardship of Earth ResourcesResponsible stewardship of mineral resources demands that we make sensible and fair choices of where, how, and when to acquire critical resources we need for today and for the future. Making these choices also requires that we face some other inconvenient truthsinconvenient truths about the earth and our interaction with it.A Looming Stewardship Question for Minnesotans:Should we develop this immense Cu-Ni-PGE mineral resource?Inconvenient Truth #1We Use the EarthWe Use the EarthFrom the Minerals Information Institutewww.mii.orgMineral Resources are Necessary Mineral Resources are Necessary in our Everyday Livesin our Everyday LivesHome Computer: Home Computer: 26 different elements26 different elements66 different minerals66 different mineralsNational Mining Institute, 2005Inconvenient Truth #2If it can’t be grown, it has to be minedIf it can’t be grown, it has to be mined•Biological Resources–plants, trees, animals–renewable on the scale of human lifecycles•Mineral Resources–took the Earth millions of years to create by uncommon processes–Non-renewable –Some are reusable or recyclable, but not all (e.g., oil, coal...)Inconvenient Truth #3Everything comes from something, but Everything comes from something, but something isn’t everywheresomething isn’t everywhereBuried too DeepJust BuriedInconvenient Truth #4Most of the world’s metal comes from sulfide mineralsMost of the world’s metal comes from sulfide mineralsChalcopyriteCuFeS2BorniteCu5FeS4CobaltiteCoAsSSphaleriteZnSGalenaPbSChalcociteCu2SMolybdeniteMoS2Pentlandite(Fe,Ni)9S8CinnabarHgSNew Processing Technology for Sulfide OresOLD – SmeltingNEW – HydrometallurgyAcid Mine DrainageAcid Mine Drainage2FeS2(s) + 7O2(g) + 2H2O(l) → 2Fe2+(aq) + 4SO42-(aq) + 4H+(aq)Data from 2006 USGS Mineral Commodity SummaryInconvenient Truth #5The western world consumes the most, but mines the least amount of mineral resourcesThe western world consumes the most, but mines the least amount of mineral resources31%Copper Country of Copper Country of Upper Michigan:Upper Michigan:America’s First America’s First Mineral Rush Mineral Rush 1844-19721844-1972United StatesUnited States – –The #1 consumer of The #1 consumer of mineral resources, mineral resources, but produces little for but produces little for itselfitself % Mined by US % Imported for Metal vs. Total Mining US consumptionCopper 7.7% 40% (Chile (30%), US, Indonesia, Peru)Nickel 0% 54% (Russia, Australia, Canada, Indonesia)Cobalt 0% 78% (Congo (30%), Zambia, Australia, Canada)Palladium 6.6% 78% (Russia (44%), South Africa (38%)) Statistics from US Geological SurveyStatistics from US Geological SurveyMineral Commodity Summaries, Jan. 2006Mineral Commodity Summaries, Jan. 2006Inconvenient Truth #6If we don’t mine it here, it will be mined If we don’t mine it here, it will be mined somewhere else....BADLYsomewhere else....BADLY02------- 03------- 04------ 05------- 06-------1992 1998 2006Historically High Metal PricesZnPbCuNiAuPdPtPalladium: Palladium: ““The Environmental Metal”The Environmental Metal”PdUsesMonchegorsk, RussiaIn 1994, responsible for 50% of the SO2 in the Northern Hemisphere Noril’sk/Talnakh Cu-Ni-PGE DepositWestern Siberia Supplies 50-60% of the World’s Pd ResourceThe Stillwater Mine (Montana)The Stillwater Mine (Montana)Only Precious Metals Mine in the U.S. Only Precious Metals Mine in the U.S.The Mining Industry – A Legacy of Pollution; but finally becoming Environmentally ResponsibleSudbury, ONBisbee, AZKemi, FinlandMost Canadian mineral companies subscribe to CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and E3 (Environmental Excellence in Exploration) standardsHydrometallurgical ProcessingSome Stewardship Questions to AskSome Stewardship Questions to Ask• Do we want to live in a modern society (and should we Do we want to live in a modern society (and should we allow China to do the same)?allow China to do the same)?• If so, is it fair to rely upon the rest of the world to supply If so, is it fair to rely upon the rest of the world to supply most of our mineral resources?most of our mineral resources?• If we are global citizens, shouldn’t we care as much about If we are global citizens, shouldn’t we care as much about mining practices and labor conditions everywhere the world mining practices and labor conditions everywhere the world as we do in our own backyard?as we do in our own backyard?• Do we take advantage of the current mining infrastructure Do we take advantage of the current mining infrastructure and labor force to sustain and diversify the 125-year-old and labor force to sustain and diversify the 125-year-old mining economy of northern Minnesota, or do we let it fade mining economy of northern Minnesota, or do we let it fade away and let the area transition into a tourist economy?away and let the area transition into a tourist