Potential Impact of Proposed Northshore Mine Expansion

Northshore mining has proposed an expansion of its Peter Mitchell Mine in Babbitt that has the potential for future impacts on the Kawishiwi Watershed, including WICOL. Environmental organizations have requested a full (state) Environmental Impact Statement from the lead agency, MN DNR. Although DNR had promised a response by January 27, no statement has been issued. Similar requests have been made to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the federal Environmental Protection Agency which must issue permits for the mine expansion to proceed.

The Peter Mitchell Mine produces taconite ore. The primary issue concerns the approximately 15 foot overburden of sulfide ore rock that must be removed and stored to reach the taconite deposit.  Sulfide bearing rock, when exposed to air and water, produces the toxic waste found in copper nickel mine operations. The current EAW for the project contains no agency requirements to protect the disposed rock from water and air, and to treat discharges should water seepage occur. Nor have agencies provided information on potential fractures in the bedrock of the storage site. The mine and waste storage sites currently drain into both the Rainy River Basin / Kawishiwi Watershed, and into the Lake Superior Basin.

Additional information can be obtained from:

Minnesota DNR website, www.dnr.state.mn.us  – environmental review – projects – Northshore Mining

Mining Company, www.cliffsnaturalresources.com  – Northshore Mining

An environmental organization, www.waterlegacy.org – Northshore Mine