To the Editor:

Over the past several months, there has been great debate about mining Bald Mountain. I find it curious and appalling that no where in all the media have I found the name of John S. Cummings mentioned.

For those who don’t know, Mr. Cummings was the one who discovered the Bald Mountain deposits in 1977. On January 7, 1980, the Maine Legislature recognized him for his discovery of the Bald Mountain deposit, which is the only world-class copper and zinc deposit ever found in New England.

A native of Auburn, he is alive and well now living in Texas. Mr. Cummings is a brilliant geologist who has written several books in his chosen field. One of them describes in detail his innovative geochemical system which resulted in the discovery of Bald Mountain and several other deposits in Maine. He obviously has a world of knowledge of mining not just in Maine, but also in the United States.

It is hard to believe that he has not been recognized or consulted during this new interest in mining Bald Mountain. For instance, one of the big concerns among citizens which constantly comes up is whether to mine using the open pit method or under ground. Mr. Cummings opposes open pit mining because it greatly increases the likelihood of serious environmental problems.

I’m sure the citizens of Maine are totally unaware there is a nationally recognized geologist, a native of Maine, who discovered the Bald Mountain deposit and is an expert on the whole area, has never been contacted to offer far more information and expertise than anyone else could possibly have. Nor has his name been mentioned during this rebirth of mining Bald Mountain.

Janis M. Cross
Hallowell