Environment
Wisconsin and Minnesota mining projects are quite the opposite of “America First”
As the Trump administration tries to fast track mining projects in northern Minnesota, I keep asking, “Is this America First?”
First, Trump’s idea of “America First,” is a joke. And perhaps these projects are a good example of that.
What’s happening, are two companies want to mine copper and nickel in Minnesota. Another company wants to mine zinc and gold in northern Wisconsin.
But there are a couple of peculiar things about these projects — aside from the alarming environmental fallout that could come.
First, none of these companies are from the U.S. One in Minnesota is owned by a Chilean billionaire. The other is a Swiss and Canadian company. The same goes for Wisconsin — it, too, is a Canadian company.
Second, the materials mined will likely be processed outside the U.S.
In case of the project upstream from the Boundary Waters, those raw materials will be going to China. Others, likely Canada. And apparently, we’re no longer good friends.
So, what part of “America First” is it in allowing foreign mining companies to strip our lands of their minerals and send them to other countries for processing, only to make us buy them back when they finally end up in our electronics?
These companies also do not care about the land. They’ll likely just pay outdated, insufficient fines after wreaking havoc on the pristine areas they want to strip. But no amount of fines can bring back the destruction they would cause anyway.
As I see it, I’m Rick Solem.
Kevin
May 15, 2025 at 8:36 am
You are definitely a hater. The world needs metals, you work in an industry that requires metals! You seem to be okay with being dependent upon the world and our geopolitical foes for metals, for pharmaceuticals for manufacturing.
You ignore the, possession is 9/10s of the adage, if the minerals are here and the facility are here why then we can claim first rights to purchase – could be part of the deal.
You are standard liberal progressive, do it anyplace else but here in my backyard.
I am a huge user of the outdoors so any mine, from my perspective would require a reclamation plan. The mine would require a pollution control plan that keeps out north woods useable for recreation as well.
Perhaps there are ‘better’ places to mine, I don’t rule that out. But right now, the onshore access to metals is at premium.
Pull your head out and try to be a problem solver vs a hater!
Not Kevin
May 15, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Dear Kevin,
You’re dumb!
walden
May 15, 2025 at 3:45 pm
Actually, Kevin is spot on.
Good grief, between William’s last effort and the above incomprehensible drivel by Solem, gotta ask if someone can please wake up WIZM’s ownership.
Kevin
May 16, 2025 at 6:55 am
Is this really Rick – are you hiding behind a pseudonym, because it sounds an awful lot like the responses I hear when I do, ever so rarely, listen to your show (by accident now), AND you have a caller that you disagree with…. the other choice, just another hater.
Come On Man
May 15, 2025 at 3:23 pm
Rick, do you support the USA and only buy American Made goods?
I’ll bet you shop at Walmart and buy a lot of crap that is not made here.
Good luck trying to buy a TV, Cell Phone or Car that does not have these precious metals in them from another country.
Mike Hochertz
May 16, 2025 at 5:48 am
I can see Rick’s perspective but I disagree with it. We have commitments to build electronics here in the USA and he is speculating that the minerals are going elsewhere. Shoot I do not hear Rick being “up in arms” about a USAID funded NGO assistance to China to purchase farmland near military bases in the USA. Please Rick explain how you know where these minerals are going? As far as business ownership look at Budweiser, Smithfield, Good humor, Chrysler, AMC movies, etc. I don’t see your passion railing against them. Again it’s Rick Solem, Whoopi, Sunny, and Joy Behar liberal lunacy spewing out Trump derangement.
How come in 3 months time I have total transparency and communication from the presidency? Peace talks are actually taking place vs. just send more money to Ukraine. How did border crossing virtually stop? How come even California is stopping Medicaid for illegals? The liberals are all about not in their own backyard and spend others money. They are bankrupting America. President Trump gets in and stops the foolish give away and wants to generate revenue so USA can continue to be a leader and Rick cannot even find an ounce of patriotic energy to support any of this administration policies.
Amgela
May 17, 2025 at 5:02 pm
I’m going to telling you about that is America first.
America first is about our minerals supply staying here in America we are the largest consumer of minerals.
Those companies mining here in USA are also a partner.
The minerals owned by Americans.
Our president trump he is thinking for us first, we need jobs and more made in USA.
God bless America.
Eric
May 19, 2025 at 4:39 am
Kevin
I would say 100% that Not Kevin is Rick
Good job