Supports monitoring

June 5, 2012
The Mining Journal

To the Journal editor:

I am in full agreement with the requests for accurate and independent measurement of air (and water) quality at and around the Eagle projects, including air discharged from the mine.

We know full well that selective sampling can produce inaccurate assessments and wish to preclude that possibility. However, I would like to remind Yoopers that the M departments of Environmental Quality and Natural Resources and the federal EPA are all employed and paid to do those things already. Therefore they must do them, and do them properly or resign their positions and return their salaries and benefits with interest.

There is reason to expect them to choose the latter course of action, since they have not routinely conducted independent sampling and verification of data supplied by KEMC, the regulated business. It behooves them, therefore, to begin to perform those duties immediately and to report the results to the public immediately, in accordance with their stated mission. There is no need to demur or debate. Monday next would be a good time to start, at the portal, when the blast products reach surface.

For demonstrations of effectiveness, as required by Part 632, they could hook up a dozen wood-burning furnaces to a single piped exhaust and sample that too, and simply vent the mine air into the sdministration building, with the media in attendance. Thank you.

Jack Parker, mining engineer

Toivola

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