March 6, 2011
Twin Metals’ proposed mine, outside the Boundary Waters, is already expanding and will now benefit from weakened state regulation, featuring reduced permitting costs and speedy approvals.
Lawmakers and regulators held a meeting last week intended to help expedite PolyMet’s Hoyt Lakes copper project. The company’s draft Environmental Impact Statement earlier stood out for the EPA, which said it was one of the worst plans they had ever reviewed.
Nonetheless, lawmakers and the governor are intent on making it as easy as possible for the mining industry. Last week Governor Dayton signed legislation giving mining companies responsibility to do their own environmental assessments, similar to what Michigan’s “Part 632″ law allows. This allows a company to avoid the more stringent oversight offered by an independent federal environmental assessment. Read the rest of this entry »
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Minnesota | Tagged: antofagasta, birch lake, boundary waters, Duluth Metals, Franconia, mining, Minnesota, sulfide, twin metals | 
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Posted by LSMN
February 3, 2011
from Minnesota Public Radio’s Bob Kelleher:
Record prices for copper are helping to fuel controversial new efforts to mine the red metal in Northern Minnesota.
Copper set new records earlier this year and continues trading near record highs of over $4.40 a pound, pushing cash into northeast Minnesota’s developing copper-nickel projects. Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Minnesota | Tagged: antofagasta, copper, Duluth Metals, hardrock mining, mining, Minnesota, PolyMet, sulfide mining, twin metals | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
December 27, 2010
from the Duluth News Tribune:
Duluth Metals Ltd. and Franconia Minerals Corp. announced an agreement today under which Duluth Metals will acquire 100 percent of Franconia’s outstanding common shares. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by LSMN
January 25, 2010
PolyMet plans to purchase this processing site; reportedly, Cliffs would maintain a roughly 7% stake in PolyMet's proposed NorthMet project
Three groups today announced their intent to file a lawsuit against Cliffs Erie, a subsidiary of Cliffs Natural Resources, for ongoing water pollution from previous taconite iron mining at three sites on Minnesota’s Iron Range. PolyMet Mining Co. plans to utilize two of the sites in order to dispose of wastes from its proposed metallic-sulfide NorthMet project. As part of a purchase agreement, Cliffs would maintain a roughly 7% stake in the project. The other Cliffs site, at the old Dunka Mine, is closer to Franconia Minerals and Duluth Metals’ proposed sulfide projects.
A news release issued by the Center for Biological Diversity noted that, “according to Cliffs Erie’s own monitoring reports, there are numerous ongoing violations of water-quality laws relating to management of the former LTV tailings basin. PolyMet’s proposal for its copper-nickel mine is to pile its own tailings waste on top of those from a former taconite mine that are still polluting.” Read the rest of this entry »
2 Comments | Law, Cliffs Natural Resources, water pollution, Minnesota, Duluth Metals, PolyMet | Tagged: Law, cliffs, water pollution, Minnesota, Duluth Metals, PolyMet | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
December 2, 2009
At a recent meeting in Ely, Minnesota a mining company actively exploring the state for metallic sulfide ore bodies expressed opposition to a project that would allow residents to better understand water quality in the area. If the mining industry can’t stop it, the project would represent a significant investment for remote Lake County and could help ensure that the area’s lucrative tourism industry remains intact for years to come.
Bob and Pat Tammen Canoe on Birch Lake; Photo courtesy Lori Andresen
On November 19, the White Iron Chain of Lakes Association (WICOLA) outlined plans before the Lake County Board for an extensive water testing effort of the Kawishiwi River watershed in order to locate pollution sources and prevent future pollution. The project would be funded with $500,000 from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and could possibly attract matching funds. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by LSMN
October 31, 2009
Duluth Metals, a company quietly but rapidly assessing the mineral value of a gold, copper, platinum and paldium deposit outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, claims that additional drilling has located even more metal than previously.
The incredibly water-rich area, highly valued by the State of Minnesota for tourism, has attracted a number 0f projects in addition to Duluth Metals’ Nokomis Project, many located on public land, in the Superior National Forest.
Franconia is hoping to mine directly underneath Birch Lake; PolyMet has recently submitted a draft Environmental Impact Assessment for it’s massive proposed NorthMet Project, located in a large wetland area; and Kennecott has been exploring further south, in Aitkin and Carlton counties.
In 2006, Aitkin County, Minnesota, refused to allow Kennecott exploration access. Never a company that allows the opinion of local citizens to get in its way, Kennecott sued the county and continued with exploration.
Leave a Comment » | Duluth Metals, Franconia, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, Minnesota, PolyMet, public land | Tagged: Duluth Metals, Franconia, Kennecott, Minnesota, PolyMet, Rio Tinto | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
April 2, 2007
by Gabriel Caplett
According to the Minnesota DNR, roughly a dozen mining companies are currently exploring for nonferrous metals in Northeastern Minnesota’s Duluth Mafic Complex.[1] The Duluth Complex is the largest undeveloped nonferrous deposit in the United States and borders the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.[2]
PolyMet Mining Corp.’s NorthMet project, south of Babitt, is the largest undeveloped nonferrous mineral deposit in the US. The company owns a 100% leasehold interest in the 4,162 acre complex.[3] NorthMet is expected to commence extraction of platinum, palladium, gold, copper, nickel, cobalt, and silver in 2008.[4] Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by LSMN
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