Mining is an issue which is deeply rooted in the local community here in the Western Upper Peninsula and recently there have been projects trying to bring it back. This is often seen as an easy decision, as many support the prospects which mining projects promise. Despite this, there are many unforeseen ramifications of mining and caveats on the promises. Dr. Power gave a lecture on this double-edged sword of mining.

Mining brings great amounts of wealth out of the earth and puts it to use making money for the mine owners and workers; mine workers are often among the higher paid blue-collar workers in the modern age. These and many more are reasons that increased mining activities can be a good thing. These were just some of the positive points which were acknowledged by Dr. Power in his lecture. He insisted that mining can cause good economic times. Having been from a town which was heavily influenced by mining, Dr. Power was not simply speaking as an anti-mining advocate. He recognized the good effects that mining can have, but also implored the audience to consider the costs.

Although mining pays well, most workers commute and take the money out of the community; mining will scar an area and remove natural beauty; the prices of metals are extremely unstable and have a direct effect on the production and hiring capacity of mines; technology is constantly reducing the number of people that a mine requires to operate. All of these are reasons which Dr. Power brings up as to why a mining operation should be carefully considered before it is accepted. He presented significant amounts of data to back up these facts, and it truly showed that he had done his research.

Mining is undoubtedly a double-edged sword, it can hurt a community just as much as it can help. Dr. Powers was not advocating against mining in the slightest, but rather advocating for the use of forethought before beginning mining projects. This is the type of message that needs to get to the community and Dr. Powers did a service by speaking on it.