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And because you are interested in population numbers, here are some U.S. Census numbers for the towns in the heart of the Mesabi Range, surrounded by operating taconite mines and plants:
1980 2014
Virginia 11,056 8,649
Eveleth 5,042 3,698
Mt. Iron 4,134 2,890
Gilbert 2,721 1,799
Chisholm 5,930 5,017
Anybody who thinks mining will result in anything other than significant population declines and serious economic harm to the people and businesses in the Ely area is denying reality. As to the population numbers you cite for Ely, they fail to tell the story of the growth of year-round and long-term seasonal residents in the townships. The people who sustain Ely by and large live in Morse, Fall Lake, Eagles' Nest, and Stony River. Ask an Ely contractor or electrician or plumber where they are spending the bulk of their time. If we don't destroy the Boundary Waters and other healthy SNF lands that bring people here to visit, spend money, and stay, Ely will have a bright future. If we permit copper mining in the watershed of the Boundary Waters, we condemn Ely to the slow death that the Range towns are fighting to avoid.
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