Painter often points out that copper/nickel mining has serious environmental consequences . The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is a political office , and Painter believes Minnesotans have little reason to be confident in their ability to protect Minnesota from these consequences . The legal framework governing these kinds of mines was designed to regulate taconite extraction and does not properly address sulfide mining . Additionally , Glencore 's chairman , Tony Hayward , former chairman of British Petroleum during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill , gives Painter reason to question the company 's commitment to safety and environmental-consciousness
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Richard Painter