Mining and the environment; both are strategic to our future

Commodities such as copper, lead, zinc and molybdenum are essential for our high tech economic future. And we know that we don’t want to depend exclusively on foreign sources for these strategic minerals. Thus mining is a critical part of the future in the US. At the same time we must preserve our environment. Air Quality, water quality, ground water are vital parts of our economic future and our quality of life. And we know mining can have a very negative impact environmental quality. Much of what we consume in the US in terms of minerals, such as copper, is minded in the US and much of it in Arizona. In fact over 40% of the copper used in the US comes from Arizona, and much of it from the Pima Mining District, which is centered just a few miles south of Tucson. This short film shows one of the very large mines in the Pima mining district, south of Tucson. It also shows the impact on the environment. The point of the film is to say…yes…these minerals are important…and mining them in the US is something we should do. But at the same time we need strict environmental regulations and enforcement from agencies such as the EPA. So…when you vote…think about electing people who understand both the economic importance of mining (and oil and gas) but equally understand the importance of the regulatory regime and agencies such as the EPA.