Published: July 10, 2017 |

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Let’s talk about the importance of mining, 200 cities/mayors have pledged to use 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2035. With that being said here are some numbers for you to think about: One wind turbine uses 9,400 pounds of copper just one, a standard house uses 400 pounds of copper, and the standard car uses 42 pounds of copper while the hybrid car uses 75 pounds.

OK, so now let’s go over what each metal is used for: We covered copper already. Nickel is used for high-strength and antimicrobial alloys, stainless steel, and aerospace, hospital and kitchen equipment. Cobalt is used for household magnets aircraft engines and cardiac stints. Platinum and Palladium are used for catalytic converters, fuel cells, diabetes test strips, and chemotherapy medicine. We all know about gold.

If people want to have renewable energy, clean air/water and medical equipment we need to mine for these metals. Just for the 10 wind turbines on Mintac’s property owned by Minnesota Power there is a total of 94,000 pounds (47 tons) of copper being used. The country can’t continue to pledge the use of clean energy if mining companies in Minnesota, Montana, Michigan and other states have to fight environmental groups. These groups want it both ways and that does not work. Again to have renewable energy we need to mine these metals.

Take a moment and look around you, imagine life without your smart phone, electricity, and the medical equipment.

Source: (July 8, 2017) Mesabi Daily News

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