STATE OF MINE - Teaser
Communities across the US fight to protect their public lands from exploitative mining laws
STATE OF MINE examines the urgent need for mining policy reform in the United States, revealing the environmental, societal & economic consequences of outdated laws through the firsthand experiences of affected individuals and communities. As demand for minerals grows to support the renewable energy sector, the film focuses on the proposed Stibnite Mine in Central Idaho—a modern mining project that encapsulates the broader debate over mining’s future.
By sharing personal stories of those impacted, State of Mine exposes the lasting damage caused by the Mining Law of 1872 and explores the potential paths forward for communities caught between economic opportunity and environmental preservation.
THE ISSUE
The General Mining Act of 1872 is deeply flawed and its archaic policies continue to promote unsustainable and irresponsible mining operations.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
Limited environmental protections
Water & Air contamination from toxic runoff
Habitat destruction for endangered & threatened species
Impacted fisheries and river systems
Public Land exploitation
SOCIAL & ETHICAL CONSEQUENCES
Breaking Indigenous Treaty rights, with limited Tribal consultation
No royalties on mined minerals, effectively giving away public resources
Foreign-Owned companies profit on public American lands
Lack of accountability for cleanup & restoration
WHY IS THIS FILM IMPORTANT NOW?
With the increasing demand for critical minerals caused by the clean energy transition, it is estimated that mining will need to increase 300% by 2040. With the expansion of mining in the United States, the need for sustainable and environmentally ethical mining practices is paramount.
In its current form, the 150-year-old mining legislation drastically falls short of protecting America's landscapes from the harms of mining. With extremely loose environmental protections, lack of oversight, and failure to require royalty payments for American lands, the Mining Act is an outdated and problematic piece of legislation.
We believe storytelling is one of the most impactful ways of sharing information and perspectives. Without hearing & seeing the emotional human stories, it can be hard to connect with the facts & figures. State of Mine will provide a deeper look at the effects of unsustainable mining by connecting with the individuals and communities who are dealing with the consequences of this irresponsible mining legislation.
SUPPORT HERE:
CROWDFUND LINK
TEASER CREDITS
Production
Cinematographer: Nate Stephens
Producer: Keegan Sentner
Editor/Writing: Nate Stephens
Sound Design/Color: Nate Stephens
Bear Cinematographer: Whitney Whitehouse
Music:
William E Keating - Down, Down, Down
Adi Goldstein - Tear Away
Yotam Agam - Spectral Type O
Lumine Wave - Wanderlust Journey
Megks - Sunbreath
Appearances (in order):
- Mary Faurot Petterson (Save the South Fork Salmon)
- Mark Martin (Rainy Creek Fly Co.)
- Nic Nelson (Idaho Rivers United)
- Esme Murphy (CBS Minnesota)
- Donald Trump
- John Robison (Idaho Conservation League)
- ABC 7 News
- CBS This Morning
- Nakia Williamson (Nez Perce)
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Congress)
- EcoFlight
- Greg McReynolds (Idaho Rivers United)
Shot on Public Land in Idaho, Oregon, Alaska, Montana
