Ethical Metalsmiths Alert Over Grand Canyon Mining

By Christina Miller

This Wednesday May 4th the comment period will end for businesses and citizens to weigh in on extending the current moratorium on new mining claims on national forest and other federal land around the Grand Canyon National Park. While current initiatives target uranium mining, supporting a 20-year moratorium on any new mining claims around the Grand Canyon would send a strong signal to The White House regarding ALL hard rock mining in the US.

Ethical Jewelers and metalsmiths want their metals and gemstones to be transparently and ethically sourced without damaging communities and the environment. Currently, the out-dated 1872 Mining Law allows hard rock mining to happen in locations that by today’s standards should be off limits.

Join those lending their voice to protecting the Grand Canyon from new mining claims today. There are two ways that you can get involved.

Ethical Metalsmiths supports only one of four options being proposed by the Obama Administration:

Alternative B
:
Put roughly 1 million acres in sensitive areas around Grand Canyon National Park off limits from new mining claims for a period of 20 years, the longest time for initial protection allowed by current law. This “withdrawal” would protect resources such as important habitat for threatened and endangered species, rich archeological areas, special springs and streams and certain lands considered sacred by Native American tribes. Because the claimstaking ban does not affect holders who already have made a valid discovery of minerals, the Department of the Interior anticipates that 11 mines would still go forward under this option.

There are two ways that you can weigh in and have your concerns addressed.

1.) If you are a business you can join the growing list of national businesses and organizations supporting the protection of 1 million acres of land around the Grand Canyon. Send a quick email to Nicole Gentile at: ngentile@pewtrusts.org and let her know that you want to sign-on to the “Save the Grand Canyon Sign-on Letter” (Read the complete letter at the end of this email).
AND / OR

2.) If you are not a business you can add your support to this “TAKE ACTION” letter drafted by EARTHWORKS. Follow this link to TAKE ACTION.

Thank you for your concern about mineral extraction issues and for recognizing that jewelers and metalsmiths have a uniquely effective voice as advocates for ethical material sourcing.

“SAVE THE GRAND CANYON SIGN-ON LETTER”
Dear President Obama:

Each year more than five million people visit Grand Canyon National Park to experience what President Theodore Roosevelt said is “the one great sight which every American should see.” In the near future, you must decide whether this timeless treasure will endure as Roosevelt envisioned or be compromised by new uranium mining at its doorstep.

In response to the skyrocketing number of new uranium mining claims around the park, in 2009 your administration wisely called a two-year halt. Now you must determine whether to extend that moratorium for the next 20 years – and how much of the land to set off limits. What hangs in the balance is not only the splendor of the Grand Canyon but also important wildlife habitat, tribal and cultural sites, recreation opportunities, almost 300,000 tourism-related jobs, and safe drinking water for millions of Americans.

Please extend the moratorium on mining claims on all one million acres of public land surrounding Grand Canyon National Park and protect this American icon for future generations.

Sincerely,
(Your Name)

Organizations, businesses, city and county councils and governmental entities from all 50 states.

Learn More:
Earthworks Feb. 17, 2011: Press Release

Bureau of Land Management: Proposed mineral withdrawl near Grand Canyon

New York Times Editorial: The Grand Canyon Uranium Rush

© 2011 Ethical Metalsmiths | (Reprinted with permission)
P.O. Box 156 College Corner, OH 45003

Please Note:

FJA is a forum open to a diversity of opinions in support of its mission. Any editorial expressed in this article represents the opinion of the author, and not necessarily the views of Fair Jewelry Action members.

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