COMMENTARY — Time to be more vocal

The following is from a speech by Jeffery Grade, chairman of Harnischfeger Industries, which appeared in a recent issue of the American Mining Congress publication, “Washington Concentrates:”

For 100 years, Harnischfeger (a manufacturer of papermaking equipment, material-handling equipment and surface and underground mining equipment) has been based in Milwaukee, Wis., and has been a major employer in the area. Yet we have been a “quiet” company.

Recently, we have recognized a need to be less “quiet” publicly and to let Milwaukee and Wisconsin know that we are extremely interested in the issues and legislation that affect our customer industries, particularly the mining industry.

There are two issues I want to address, the first being the mining industry’s economic significance to Wisconsin and the second being the need for all of us to educate the public about the industry’s importance, not only in Wisconsin, but also in the U.S.

What economic role has the mining industry played in Wisconsin? Harnischfeger was ranked as the 10th-largest employer in the Milwaukee area in 1993, with more than 1,400 local jobs existing specifically to support the mining industry . . .

The mining industry indeed does have a significant economic impact on our state, providing revenues for our corporations and jobs for our citizens while generating taxes for the state and creating wealth in general here in Wisconsin.

While Flambeau and Crandon are the “visible” mining industry in the state today, there is a large “quiet” contingent that has participated for decades in this industry. Suppliers throughout the state depend on a strong mining industry . . .

The second area I want to address is the vital need to start educating the public in a much broader way on the need for a strong mining industry in North America. I do not need to tell you how strong the voice is from the other side of this issue.

The extremists tell whomever will listen that we don’t need a mining industry. The fact is that 40,000 lb. of new mineral materials and metals must be mined yearly to meet the needs of each citizen. But, the actual land use required to supply these minerals for all the material goods for one individual for a lifetime is just 1,075 sq. ft. Mineral production today is an extremely efficient business . . .