Read PR puff piece written by Michigan's largest newspaper supporting an acid mine with few benefits - and run by a company (Rio Tinto) charged with war crimes, crimes against humanity, bribery and other crimes:

http://detnews.com/article/20110907/OPINION01/109070324/Editorial--Return-mining...

I was shocked to see that the Detroit News would favor a mining project that will have few benefits and allow one of the world's worst polluters to leave a mess behind in seven years (life of mine) while destroying sacred Eagle Rock.

Rio Tinto has also been charged with war crimes, human rights violations, bribery and other crimes across the globe.

Your editorial wrongly claimed the company is respecting a very old Anishinaabe (Ojibwa) sacred site for Native American tribal rituals, religious ceremonies.

In fact, Rio Tinto/Kennecott Minerals will be dynamiting through sacred Eagle Rock to make the entrance of the mine (They already bulldozed the area directly around Eagle Rock).

To the Ojibwa, it is the same as dynamiting through a large church/cathedral in any Michigan city.

It's an undisputed fact that the Rio Tinto/Kennecott has one of the most dismal environmental records in the world - and find it less costly to leave a mess and possibly face litigation - than simply clean up their toxic waste.

Ex-Governor Granholm and Governor Snyder have refused to answer questions about their (or close family) financial ties to the project including campaign donations, favorable land deals, luxury trips, wining and dining, stocks and bonds, any and all gratuities from the companies or their representatives like lobbyists, others, etc.

As a reporter for Indian Country Today, I submitted those questions to all the candidates for governor - and ex-Gov. Granholm - all refused to comment (It would be easy to say they had no financial connections but instead refused to comment - talk about red flags).

The mining company also uses dirty tricks - like redesigning a water system to be above ground (in the severe U.P. winters) to avoid the federal clean water act regulations.

Plus two Ojibwa campers charged with trespassing were not allowed to present a defense - literally told they could not present the defense they planned. Ironically, the judge's name is extremely close to "Kangaroo" as in Kangaroo Court.

Your editorial sounds like it was written by a Kennecott PR person.

I understand why the small U.P. newspapers (who get mine advertising) have not done investigative stories - but am disillusioned now that the Detroit News would write this puff editorial.

Shame on the Detroit News for selling out.

Even with tough times at the major newspapers, I never though the Detroit News would not investigate before printing Rio Tinto/Kennecott claims.

The above is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to scandalous info about this project - a few headlines:

• State allows DEQ/DNR financially going into bed with the mining company by allowing its employees to set up a non-profit using state addresses, state labor and state materials.

• DEQ/DNR hides a state-paid expert safety report critical of the project - stating major concerns over whether a vital trout stream would collapse into the mine. That would send a huge amount of sulfuric acid downstream into Lake Superior.

• During a reshuffle of the DNR/DEQ agencies - an interim boss approves mine permit despite serious objections from a state administrative law judge and others.

• Only half of the 150 employees will be locally hired.

• Company admits they will make billions in profits because of the size of the world record nickel deposit - but the state itself and local government tills will only get a small fraction of that cash.
That's why many have accused the company of making side deals with U.P. elected officials and others with decision powers - exactly like when Rio Tinto got caught and charged with bribing China officials and other countries.