PolyMet project put on hold while court considers permitting ‘irregularities’
Controversial copper mine in northern Minnesota will have to wait to move forward until courts consider possible agency cover-up.
Pollution
Twin Metals proposes using “dry stacking” mine waste storage technique
Company announces change in plans to avoid using traditional, less safe waste storage technique that nearby PolyMet proposal will use. Some environmental groups have promoted dry stacking but questions remain.
EPA releases PolyMet water quality comments, begins internal investigation of possible cover-up
Environmental advocates pressure federal agency to make public the comments it only communicated verbally to state officials.
Lawsuits move forward against both major Minnesota copper mine proposals
Lawyers for environmental groups argued last week that Twin Metals’ mineral leases should never have been renewed, and that PolyMet’s land exchange was a bad deal for the public.
Environmental groups and Ojibwe tribe call for new evaluation of PolyMet mine design after Brazil disaster
Mining opponents say PolyMet proposes a dam to hold its tailings that has direct connections to a deadly disaster this January at the Córrego do Feijão iron ore mine in southeastern Brazil.
Young people invited to apply for Washington, D.C. trip to lobby for Boundary Waters protection
Youth organization that works to protect the Boundary Waters from copper-nickel mining pollution is organizing another event to provide high school and college students the chance to tell policymakers their stories and ask for stewardship.
International body seeks to develop water quality goals for border lakes and rivers
Citizens asked to provide input on process to protect the health of waters in the Quetico-Superior region from a variety of threats.
Documents reveal EPA comments critical of PolyMet may have been silenced by federal officials
Rep. Betty McCollum promised to use her powerful subcommittee to investigate if the agency blocked its staff from sending written comments to Minnesota regulators.
Historical documents related to Twin Metals mineral leases support Obama decision to reject renewal
Newly-found records show government fought against long-term leases and put caveats on the terms to ensure expedient mineral development.
Cook County celebrates its lack of light pollution at first-ever Dark Sky Festival
Events in Grand Marais will encourage attendees to enjoy and protect the starry skies that have made the region famous.
Environmental groups sue to stop PolyMet, strengthen Minnesota mining regulations
Eight organizations file lawsuits to challenge permits for the state’s first copper mine and revise rules.
State of Minnesota issues permits for PolyMet mine proposal
DNR announces it is giving the copper-nickel mine proposal a green light after years of review and debate.
Boy Scouts and other Boundary Waters paddlers collect valuable information about wilderness water quality
Partnerships with state of Minnesota helps gather important information about the health of canoe country’s beloved clean lakes.
Trump administration re-opens Boundary Waters watershed to mining
Federal government decides to let mining companies acquire leases to explore and extract minerals…
Red clay runoff into Lake Superior captured from space
As the snow melts every spring, the Nemadji River ‘unloads’ red clay sediment into Lake Superior, and in June the Duluth-Superior region experienced heavy rains. A stunning photo of red clay sediment flowing into the lake was captured by…
Businesses, sporting groups, and environmentalists call on federal officials to block mining near Boundary Waters
Letters to leaders of two government agencies seek completion of study of mining in the wilderness watershed before proposals move forward.
Twin Metals proposes mine processing plant on Birch Lake
A facility near the Boundary Waters and upstream of the popular White Iron Chain of Lakes could process 20,000 tons of ore each day.
Berm washes out in Biwabik, spilling iron mine waste downstream
An embankment next to a historic iron mine pit was breached during spring melt, damaging infrastructure and contaminating local waters.
Federal government restores mineral leases in Boundary Waters watershed
Twin Metals is getting mineral leases back that it lost in 2016, as the Trump administration continues to reverse Obama-era decisions.
Officials withdraw change to wild rice protections, will restart work on sulfate standard
After being ruled too vague to protect rice or provide certainty to industries, state scientists will try to come up with a clearer way to implement research findings.