Sulfide Mining Opponents Apologize for Comments

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ Two leading opponents of sulfide mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are apologizing for remarks sharply criticizing mining supporters.

Becky Rom and Reid Carron say remarks they made in a New York Times story published Thursday were ``disrespectful and untrue.''

The Times piece examined the tension over proposed copper-nickel mining by Twin Metals Minnesota. Opponents fear such mining could devastate the region's natural beauty and its tourism. Supporters say it would bring badly needed jobs.

Carron told the newspaper that mining supporters ``want somebody to just give them a job so they can all drink beer with their buddies'' and ``not have to think about anything except punching a clock.''

Rom is vice-chair of the board that oversees the Save the Boundary Waters campaign. Carron is her husband.