» Attend an informational meeting about Sulfide Mining in Minnesota on June 24

Sulfide mining (also known as nonferrous copper-nickel mining) refers to operations that seek to remove trace amounts of metals imbedded in sulfur bearing ores. While the economic and environmental impacts of sulfide mining are well known in the Western United States, sulfide mines have never been commercially viable in Minnesota.

Until recently, it was considered unprofitable to mine northern Minnesota for copper, nickel, platinum, gold and other metals found in the same geologic formations. But, skyrocketing metals prices have brought renewed interest in extracting these minerals from a section of Minnesota’s Duluth Complex – a rock formation at the edge of Minnesota’s Mesabi iron range that stretches northeast from the town of Hoyt Lakes and into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Late in 2007, the Forest Service approved exploratory drilling requests at 74 sites along the Kawishiwi River near Babbit and Ely. Additionally, foreign-owned mining corporations are currently considering the possibility of both open pit and underground mines in northern Minnesota, and are in the midst of state permitting processes.

Factsheets and Overviews

Sulfide Mining in Minnesota

Sulfide Mining at the State Capitol