Eye on Mining

Reaction to Biden Administration’s mining ban for BWCA watershed

Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 8:46 PM CST

By Cara Kopp

In the wake of Thursday's decision, there's been no shortage of reaction from folks on both sides, and those who would've been directly impacted by the construction of twin metals' proposed copper-nickel mine.

News

U.S. Govt. signs order banning mining in BWCA watershed for 20 years

Updated: Jan. 26, 2023 at 1:05 PM CST

By The Associated Press

The Biden administration has moved to protect the pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota from future mining.

News

Gov. Tim Walz signs unemployment bill into law

Unemployment benefits restored for hundreds of Northshore miners

Updated: Jan. 25, 2023 at 6:48 PM CST

By Quinn Gorham

Governor Tim Walz signed a bill Wednesday restoring unemployment benefits for 410 laid-off Northshore Mining workers.

News

MN Supreme Court won’t review decision to pull Mesabi Metallics’ mineral leases

Updated: Jan. 17, 2023 at 6:15 PM CST

By Briggs LeSavage

Mesabi Metallics has been hoping to build a mining and pelletization plant on the former Essar site in Nashwauk.

News

Talon Metals’ Tamarack project to see $114M for nickel mining efforts

Updated: Oct. 19, 2022 at 4:45 PM CDT

By Northern News Now staff

According to Talon Metals, they were awarded $114 million from last year’s Infrastructure Bill.

News

Mesabi Metallics: Company finishes paying overdue taxes to Itasca County

Updated: Oct. 19, 2022 at 2:18 PM CDT

By Briggs LeSavage

Mesabi Metallics representatives added Wednesday they also paid the penalties and October’s property taxes in advance.

News

As USW reaches tentative contract with Cliffs, negotiations continue at other Iron Range mines

Updated: Sep. 6, 2022 at 6:58 PM CDT

By Quinn Gorham

VIRGINIA, MN -- Cleveland-Cliffs has reached an agreement with unions at 13 of its locations, including Minorca Mine just north of Virginia.

News

Gov. Walz talks criticism, copper-nickel mining and gun violence in one-on-one interview with Dan Wolfe

Updated: Aug. 23, 2022 at 11:02 PM CDT

By Dan Wolfe

The interview comes with just over two months to election day.

News

Twin Metals sues Biden administration, aims to reclaim mineral leases

Updated: Aug. 22, 2022 at 2:03 PM CDT

By Briggs LeSavage

Twin Metals’ spokespeople hope Monday’s lawsuit will help them reclaim their mineral leases.

News

U.S. Steel chooses Keetac for new pellet production facility

Updated: Jul. 29, 2022 at 5:49 PM CDT

By Briggs LeSavage

They say Keetac’s high-quality ore body and long mine life made it the right choice.

First Alert Clouds & Radar

News

Cliffs extends idle at Babbitt, Silver Bay facilities; lay offs continue for 410 workers

Updated: Jul. 22, 2022 at 1:30 PM CDT

By Briggs LeSavage

The facilities first idled in May, laying off 410 of their 600 workers.

News

Vake tapped to lead Iron Mining Association

Updated: Jun. 27, 2022 at 5:26 PM CDT

By Briggs LeSavage

Vake, a Chisholm native and former CBS 3 anchor and executive producer, will take on the new role starting July 5.

Eye on Mining

Feds issue draft assessment that could doom Twin Metals’ proposed mine

Updated: Jun. 23, 2022 at 5:18 PM CDT

By The Associated Press

The proposal would “withdraw” about 352 square miles within the Rainy River watershed in the Superior National Forest

News

Feds issue draft assessment that could doom Twin Metals’ proposed mine

Updated: Jun. 23, 2022 at 5:17 PM CDT

By The Associated Press

The proposal would “withdraw” about 352 square miles within the Rainy River watershed in the Superior National Forest

News

MN Court of Appeals dismisses challenge to a key PolyMet permit

Updated: Jun. 21, 2022 at 9:03 PM CDT

State court rules in favor of PolyMet permit.

News

PolyMet defends mine project in Day 2 of permit hearing

Updated: May. 3, 2022 at 6:42 PM CDT

By Quinn Gorham and Larissa Milles

Tuesday was the first day of a hearing for PolyMet’s NorthMet mine.

News

Made in America: How new regulations could boost Minnesota’s mining industry

Updated: Apr. 18, 2022 at 10:00 PM CDT

By Quinn Gorham

President Joe Biden announced new regulations Monday meant to keep infrastructure money within the United States.

News

State DNR to stop work on environmental review for Twin Metals

Updated: Feb. 15, 2022 at 3:46 PM CST

State agency to pause environmental review work on proposed copper and nickel mining project.

News

Minntac investigating mine structure collapse, no injuries

Updated: Feb. 5, 2022 at 4:52 PM CST

Minntac is investigating following a structural failure that led to a collapse at their Mountain Iron, Minnesota mine.

News

Judge sides with DNR in Mesabi Metallics’ lawsuit

Updated: Jan. 28, 2022 at 4:46 PM CST

A judge has ruled in favor of the DNR and is requiring Mesabi Metallics to pay the state back.

News

Court offers mixed views on water permit for Minnesota mine

Updated: Jan. 24, 2022 at 7:00 PM CST

By The Associated Press

A Minnesota appeals court has issued a mixed opinion in a complicated case involving a proposed copper-nickel mine.

News

Mining ban near Boundary Waters once again on the table

Updated: Jan. 13, 2022 at 12:26 PM CST

By The Associated Press

The ongoing tug-of war over whether mining should be allowed near the pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness has been resurrected with strong opinions on both sides of the issue.

News