This short film takes a hard look at the sulfide mining industry's history of failed predictions and toxic pollution and the potential impacts on northeastern Minnesota from proposed mines.

“Precious Waters” was produced by the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, a non-profit organization that works to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its ecosystem. It was written, directed and edited by award-winning filmmaker John Whitehead. The film features a broad array of voices discussing the industry’s track record of failed predictions, toxic pollution, and taxpayer liability for industrial messes.

The Friends has identified sulfide mining as a significant threat to the long-term preservation of the Boundary Waters and the surrounding region. The short film is intended to raise public awareness about the risks of this new form of mining, and to spur informed public discussion and involvement in decisions about its future in Minnesota. The film will be shown around the state and is expected to serve as a conversation-starter for Minnesotans of all types.

Production of the film was supported by a coalition of conservation organizations, small businesses, and citizen groups, including: the Izaak Walton League, Sierra Club North Star Chapter, Midwest Mountaineering, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness, Piragis Northwoods Company, and Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest.