Maybe you missed it last week when this story broke. Frankly, when I first saw the headline, it sounded like a joke from The Onion. But it's true! BP's disgraced former CEO, Tony Hayward, is working for Glencore, a primary investor in a new sulfide mining operation here in Minnesota. Most disturbing is the fact that he was hired to oversee environment, safety and clean up operations.
If you haven't heard much about sulfide mining, you should know it isn't like traditional Minnesota iron mining. When rain falls on the waste from iron mining, it makes rust; when rain falls on sulfide ore waste, sulfuric acid is produced. Sulfuric acid leaches out metals and chemicals from the waste and creates acid mine drainage that can contaminate lakes, rivers, and groundwater. At this point, there aren't any good examples of sulfide mines being operated anywhere in the world without significant environmental consequences.
Only a company with a stellar reputation should be allowed to undertake such a risky activity so close to Lake Superior. If Tony Hayward's involvement makes you as concerned as I am, learn what you can do about it here.
