NewRange Copper Nickel, a joint venture between Teck Resources and Glencore, has launched a series of environmental studies aimed at jumpstarting the stalled NorthMet copper-nickel project in Minnesota. These studies, which will span the next year, are designed to incorporate new mining technologies and sustainability practices, ensuring the project meets all regulatory requirements and minimizes environmental impact.
Advancing the NorthMet Project with Environmental Focus
The NorthMet project, located in Minnesota’s Iron Range, is one of the key initiatives of NewRange. The venture also includes the Mesaba deposit, making the duo among the most significant copper-nickel-PGM resources in the region. The new studies focus on enhancing the environmental safeguards of the NorthMet project, which is slated to process 29,000 tonnes of ore per day over a 20-year mine life, with production expected to begin in 2026.
This renewed effort comes after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers revoked the project’s Clean Water Act Permit in June 2023. The revocation was due to non-compliance with the water quality standards of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior, rather than those of Minnesota. NewRange is now revising its approach to meet both state and tribal standards, with transparency and stakeholder engagement as core principles of the review process.
Tailings Storage and Water Management Under Review
A significant part of the environmental studies will focus on tailings storage. NewRange is considering various options to minimize environmental impacts, including the reuse of the former LTV iron ore tailings facility. Alternatives being explored include refining the existing design to use a centerline dam or relocating tailings to nearby unused mining pits. These efforts aim to ensure safe, stable, and environmentally responsible tailings management while addressing past contamination issues.
Water management is another critical component of the study. NewRange is revisiting planned water treatment technologies to ensure they meet or exceed all applicable water quality standards. The goal is to address water quality challenges from both historical and proposed mining operations, protecting the environment and local water sources for generations to come. This includes adhering to Minnesota’s stringent “wild rice standard” for sulfate discharge, a benchmark few industrial projects have met.
Boosting Production and Reducing Carbon Footprint
NewRange is also exploring ways to increase production efficiency at the NorthMet site without expanding its footprint. The company aims to boost production from 32,000 tons per day to 40,000 tons per day, potentially reducing the mine’s operational lifespan from 20 years to 15. This strategy is intended to enhance the domestic supply of critical minerals like copper, nickel, and cobalt while lowering the project’s energy intensity.
In parallel, NewRange is studying methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the project. One focus area is the potential transition from diesel-powered rail transport to electric alternatives, such as conveyors, to move ore for processing. The company is also investigating opportunities to achieve a net-negative carbon footprint through carbon sequestration in mine tailings, leveraging the unique geologic properties of the region.
“Our NorthMet project represents a significant investment in the cleanup of former mine sites in Minnesota. We are committed to making this project as environmentally sustainable as possible,” said NewRange President Tannice McCoy. “By incorporating cutting-edge technology and robust environmental safeguards, we aim to support the U.S. clean energy transition and contribute to a sustainable future.”
Source: Mining.com
