Mining the Heartland: Nature, Place, and Populism on the Iron Range

Protests and public hearings have erupted in rural American communities over proposed copper-nickel mines, highlighting the tension between preserving wilderness and promoting natural resource development. Mining the Heartland by Erik Kojola examines this complex struggle, exploring how whiteness, masculinity, class, race, and gender shape people's relationships with the land.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 26 June 2023
Publisher: New York University Press

A compelling portrayal of the cultural battles and political disputes surrounding proposed copper-nickel mines in Minnesota's Iron Range emerges in the following text, which has been expanded by 130% to 150%:

Hundreds of people gathered in Saint Paul on an unseasonably warm October afternoon to voice their opposition to the construction of a proposed copper-nickel mine in the remote northern region of their state. The crowd avidly listened to speeches that highlighted the long-term risks and potential pollution of drinking water for current and future generations. A year later, another proposed mining project garnered attention during a public hearing in a small town near the proposed site. However, this time, local politicians and union leaders hailed the mine proposal as a valuable asset that would benefit working-class communities in Minnesota.

In many rural American communities, there exists a deep tension between preserving wilderness and protecting natural resources, while also seeking to promote and profit from them. Mining the Heartland, by Erik Kojola, delves into both sides of these populist movements and provides a thoughtful account of how such political struggles unfold. Drawing on over a hundred ethnographic interviews with individuals from various regions of the state, including labor union members, local residents, and scientists, Kojola vividly brings this complex struggle over mining to life. By focusing on both pro- and anti-mining groups, he expands upon the insights that this conflict reveals about the dynamics of whiteness and masculinity among urban and rural residents, as well as the diverse ways in which class, race, and gender shape individuals' relationships with the land.

Mining the Heartland offers a captivating exploration of the negotiation and conflict between two fundamental aspects of Minnesota's culture and economy: outdoor recreation in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes and the lucrative mining of the Iron Range. The book sheds light on the complex dynamics that shape these two industries, highlighting the challenges and opportunities they present for local communities, environmentalists, and policymakers alike. Through its rich ethnographic data and insightful analysis, Mining the Heartland provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the social, economic, and environmental implications of mining in rural America.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479815210