An Analysis of the Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of Mining and Mineral Resource Development on the Sokaogon Chippewa Community. Volume I. Social, Economic and Cultural Historical Assessments

摘要

In May of 1976 Exxon-USA announced its discovery of one of the world's largest and richest deposits of copper-zinc approximately eight miles south of Crandon, Wisconsin. Less than a mile from the Exxon discovery site lies the Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa reservation. This study of the social impacts of mining development both on and off the reservation is designed to provide the tribe with information essential for decision-making. Exxon's secrecy about the size and potential scope of their operations has left an important information gap in COACT's attempt to predict the social impacts of the Exxon mine on the Mole Lake Reservation. One section of the report deals with the economic problems the tribe might encounter in the event of mining. Overall, it is COACT's assessment that the Exxon mine is more likely to exaggerate the unemployment and economic problems of the tribe than remedy them. The prospect of Exxon jobs and prosperity is liable to attract many more tribal members back to the reservation than actual jobs.