Dayton Visits with Ely Officials

Governor meets with Ely city council to discuss his decision regarding a potential mine.

Nearly three weeks after delivering a huge blow to a proposed copper nickel mine near Ely, Governor Dayton met with the Ely city council at the IRRRB headquarters in Eveleth.

Dayton believes the project is too close to the Boundary Waters, while city officials say the project will bring much needed jobs to the area.

The governor met with the Ely city council members in front of an overflow crowd in Eveleth with the audience almost evenly split on the issue.

The mayor of Ely called the meeting historic with a sitting governor asking to meet with an entire council.

Although some members said they felt infuriated with the governor’s decision about a potential stop to the mine, they also went onto say they can’t get rid of mining in the community.

They say a mine could bring too many jobs into an economy where they are hard to come by.

“We would just like to see the process and the laws being applied that are on the books and the laws provide moving forward on the project and then when all the reviews are done, a final decision can be made. That’s all we’re asking. Follow the laws. Follow the process,” said Mayor Chuck Novak.

While others including Ely businessman Paul Schurke praised the governor’s stance on the issue.

He said Ely is dependent on the tourists they see every year coming to the Boundary Waters.

“The Boundary Waters is the most beloved and heavily visited area. It’s the most popular protected place on the planet. If it loses that reputation, my business is toast,” said Schurke.

The mayor and the council believed the meeting went well and were glad it remained transparent and didn’t get hostile.

The mayor said he will be meeting with Governor Dayton again on the issue.

The mine was slated to bring nearly 850 jobs to the area.