 |
| Photo and caption from Flambeau Mine Exposed. |
In Southwest Oregon mining advocates make exaggerated and unsubstantiated claims about how mining will benefit the local economy. It was the same in Rusk County, Wisconsin when the mining company there was in the process of getting the permits for the Flambeau Mine. Laura writes and provides documentation showing otherwise on her Flat-line economics page :
When a multinational mining corporation wants to move into an area, it will do a very thorough study of the local economy. Invariably the company will claim that the area in which it has located a mineral deposit is financially depressed and that a mine will provide lots of good-paying jobs and plenty of tax relief.
That is certainly what the people of Rusk County, Wisconsin were told when Kennecott appeared on the scene with plans to build the Flambeau Mine. The mine operated from 1993 to 1997, but, unfortunately, the promise of economic prosperity did not pan out. (emphasis added)In Southwest Oregon, miners don't even do studies or attempt to provide any documentation. They just insist the sky will fall if they aren't allowed to exploit lands and mineral belonging to all of us for their personal profits. Unfortunately there are some who believe them. That's why the work of people like Laura and all those struggling against the mining industry throughout Wisconsin and the rest of the country are so important to all of us. Read more at Flambeau Mine Exposed.
See also the Okanogan Highlands Alliance website and our previous post - America like Greece? Yes, but not because of debt.
