Mining in Maine: Characterization of Public Perceptions
Institution: University of Maine
Sponsor: Maine Water Resources Research Institute
Maine has a legacy of mining massive sulfide deposits for metals including copper and zinc. Understanding
resident perceptions about mining, and potential impacts on the economy, quality of place, and natural
resources in Maine is crucial as the legislature considers changes to the laws governing mining activities. This project
proposes to identify perceptions on mining laws in Maine by using both qualitative and quantitative research.
Phase 1 included an analysis of secondary data (testimony, workshops and hearing). In Phase 2, the team
conducted a resident survey to measure attitudes and beliefs towards mining in Maine.
Summary
As new locations for mining activities are sought, some regions with limited recent metallic mineral mining (MMM) history and expertise find themselves grappling with the issues which surround mining activities. Since 2012, Maine found itself in this situation after renewed interest in one of the state’s largest metal containing deposits spurred the legislature to revise its MMM laws. Now in 2017, the debate continues demonstrating the importance of a social license to operate. A social license refers to the acceptance or approval of mining operations by local communities and other stakeholders, who can affect the profitability of those operations. This public acceptance or social license to operate, is influenced by risk perceptions, trust in governance structures, and weighing of benefits over costs. With nine mining bills introduced during the 128th legislative session, gaining an understanding of the public’s risk perceptions on MMM in the state is both timely and critical.
It is the aim of this study to determine Maine residents’ perceptions of metallic mineral mining and the requirements needed for conflict resolution of this current policy debate. Researchers have sought to identify major debate themes utilizing publicly available secondary data including public hearing testimonies and newspaper articles between 2012 and 2017. With additional funding, a mail survey which was not part of the proposal was also implemented to gather opinions from a wider audience of Maine residents. A total of 501 residents from across the state responded to this survey. WRRI funding was used to conduct an online survey which, due to a small response rate, was utilized as a pilot to inform the development of the larger mail survey. This report presents results from the larger mail survey.
Preliminary analysis of the secondary data identified several topics that have been prominent concerns for stakeholders. These topics include: water quality, mining on public lands, human and wildlife health, financial assurance, site closure and reclamation, potential impacts to existing industries, mistrust in mining organizations and also the state government. Survey participants expressed similar concerns. The majority of survey participants believed that human health (53%), fish and wildlife health (69%), and water quality (67%) would decrease if a metallic mineral mine were developed near their community. Likewise, the majority of survey participants (64%) agreed that a metallic mineral mine would be harmful to the local natural environment and over half (54%) of participants believed nature based tourism would decrease as a result of a potential local mine.
Over three quarters (78%) believed employment opportunities would increase. However, the majority of survey participants (63%) agreed that the negative impacts of MMM outweighed the benefits. These results have recently been reported to the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to aid in their deliberations on the many mining bills proposed during the current legislative session.
Investigators:
- Sandra De Urioste-Stone, School of Forest Resources, UMaine
- Andrew Morgan, Graduate Research Assistant, UMaine