Letter: Copper helps energy our financial system. Why not mine it right here?

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In an Aug. 31 letter within the BDN, Steve Smith bemoaned Wolfden Sources’ efforts to determine a copper mine in Maine. I are not looking for a mine in Maine for the entire causes he lists, however the place are we to get the copper our life-style requires?

Demand within the U.S. for copper is  rising because of the rising electrification of our financial system. If we don’t produce copper domestically, it should be imported. Massive portions of copper used right here within the U.S. are mined in poor international locations, the place water high quality and environmental requirements are far decrease than right here in Maine. In some areas, youngsters labor in “artisanal” mines (unsafe holes) to get copper for our wants. Consequently, we devastate poor international locations and their inhabitants to satiate our demand for metals: out of our sight and off of our conscience.

I discover it morally repugnant to make the most of poor, defenseless individuals to maintain our metallic calls for when we now have a home provide that may be extracted in a way more environmentally sound method. Recycling just isn’t the reply… the volumes wanted are too nice.