Dozens turn out for mining forum

By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
   PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A mining forum hosted by the University of Maine at Presque Isle and held at the Campus Center on Saturday, saw about 100 individuals — including city officials, conservationists and students — turn out for the nearly four-hour discussion.    The event was organized by Dr. Chunzeng Wang, UMPI professor of geology, environmental science and GIS.
Speakers included three individuals with varying knowledge of mining and the mining industry. They included: Dr. Robert Marvinney, state geologist and director of the Maine Geological Survey; Dr. David Lentz, professor and economic geology chair, Department of Earth Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Canada; and Mr. James Cormier, superintendent of the Department of Environment and Community Affairs, Xstrata Zinc, New Brunswick.
The event focused on mineral deposits, mining, mine waste treatment and environmental concerns.
Dr. Linda Schott, UMPI president, began, thanking all who’d worked together to organize the gathering.
“We at UMPI take our job seriously in educating our students. We’re the closest to the mining site at Bald Mountain. It’s very pertinent that we help educate the public. We hope this session will provide a lot of information that will help all here have a more informed dialogue going forward with this potential project,” she said.
Dr. Wang said he realized there was “a need to do something like this to educate the public from a science perspective.”
Discussion began with Dr. Marvinney providing an overview on the basics of mining and how geologists determine what type of minerals are found in different locations. He explained the similarities between Maine and Canadian geology, using a slide presentation to show how improved technology, such as aerial mapping, and how newer methods are far less invasive than past efforts in locating mineral deposits.
“Exploration can be done regionally. Airborne geophysical surveys — using magnetics, gravity — can be done. Maps can be created using aircraft. It’s a way to look at a broad area and get an idea if there’s a broad potential for minerals. There’s a slightly different response over dense metals as opposed to rocks. You wouldn’t even know geologists had been there; it’s pretty non-invasive work. An aircraft has no impact on land,” said Dr. Marvinney.
Dr. Marvinney noted that “geochemical anomalies in rocks, soils, stream sediments and water provide essential information for guiding additional exploration efforts.”
He indicated Bald Mountain had been the site some years ago of regional exploration, with deposits discovered.
“It’s in the early stage of advanced exploration — with more work to be done to determine makeup and establish a mining plan,” Dr. Marvinney said.
Bald Mountain, a property co-owned by J.D. Irving and Prentiss & Carlisle, about 15 miles west of Portage, has been in the news over the past year, with company officials awaiting decisions on mining legislation in Augusta — expected this year — before any further development is planned.
Dr. Lentz spoke next, discussing exploration and mining in the 21st century, with a focus on responsible mineral resource development options and the role of high technology.
“As you saw from Bob’s presentation, we’re using the highest technology to protect people and the environment,” said Dr. Lentz.
“Mining today has changed significantly from past generations. Mining operations have become more sensitive to communities in which they are located and the environment in which they operate,” he said. “Furthermore, technological advancements have improved exploration, construction and mining operations.”
He said in the past 15 years, with developments around the world, metallics are traded globally and thus their value is up.
“With great value comes great interest in looking for new resources,” Dr. Lentz said.
Dr. Lentz said the world’s population is driving the demand for increased mining, since so many of today’s products are built using a variety of minerals. His slide presentation offered as an example that a cell phone or similar apparatus can include up to 27 different types of minerals.
“Every year, the average American uses hundreds of pounds of newly-mined minerals. That’s according to the National Mining Association, www.nma.org,” he said.
He said as demand grows, so will the need for skilled workers.
“The total direct and indirect economic impact of U.S. mining was valued at $2.4 trillion in 2010. Over the next five to 10 years, mining operations will need approximately 55,000 new employees to meet demand and to replace retiring employees. Minerals and materials processed from minerals account for exports worth as much as $87 billion per year,” said Dr. Lentz.
China, he noted, has steadily increased its mining efforts and unless the U.S. keeps up, American companies will become more and more dependent on obtaining the raw materials — minerals — from outside sources, such as China, which will in turn increase product costs, should companies become more dependent on other countries to meet their needs.
“This is something people need to consider when deciding whether they do or don’t want development in their area,” said Dr. Lentz.
Cormier was the last to speak, sharing details of the Brunswick Mine. Discovered in 1953, the mine went into operation in 1964. The site is currently in the process of closing, following decades of zinc production.
“It’s produced almost 150 million tons of zinc ore,” said Cormier.
“We’ve executed a plan in such a way that upon closure, Xstrata Zinc’s Brunswick Mine is given high marks for its corporate social responsibility record. Key stakeholders will conclude that the company has dealt responsibly with its employees, the community and the environment,” said Cormier. “We want all of our key stakeholders to feel that the Brunswick Mine/Xstrata  is/was considered  a good corporate citizen — that we were responsible, that we’ve done things well.”
Cormier talked about the various plans being implemented to ensure the environment won’t be affected once the mill is closed. He also noted that employee safety has been a major priority, with the number of reported injuries steadily declining over the years.
“The bottom line is not only economic, it’s social and environmental. The big impetus is on social responsibility,” said Cormier.
Darrell Adams, of Mars Hill, asked if funds were set aside to ensure the site was safe, following closure.
“Does it depend on the business being around?” asked Adams.
“There’s financial assurance. The fund will fund itself. The province doesn’t want to be left holding the bag,” said Cormier.
At least one participant expressed concern over the limited time allotted for questions and answers.
“I don’t think they really addressed the environmental concerns, nor did they allow enough opportunity for those of us who had concerns to question them,” said Shelly Mountain, of Mapleton. “I felt it was very one-sided and pro-mining.”
Mountain said she hoped another event would be planned this year that would allow more time for audience participation.