Newrange Embarks On Project-wide Studies To Further Enhance Environmental Safeguards And Project Performance
Authored by: Press Release
NewRange Copper Nickel announced four key studies to assess whether new mining technology and sustainability developments can further enhance environmental safeguards and mining performance for its NorthMet project.
NewRange brings a new team whose global expertise on tailings storage, water science, efficient production and carbon reduction will ensure the project remains on the cutting edge, so that Minnesotans and the nation can benefit from responsible clean energy mineral resource development, the company said.
“Mining Minnesota supports the NorthMet project because we know the team is committed to responsibly developing a project that will not only provide needed minerals for the clean energy transition, but that will also protect our cherished northern Minnesota natural resources and strengthen our local communities,” said Mining Minnesota about the NewRange Copper Nickel NorthMet studies. The studies position NewRange, one of the world’s largest undeveloped deposits of copper and nickel, to meaningfully support the United States’ clean energy transition and compete in the global economy by creating a domestic supply chain of multiple clean energy minerals, while limiting new environmental impacts and cleaning up former mine sites.
“As momentum continues to sustainably develop NewRange, we are sharing our plans before studies are complete, because transparency and engagement with Tribal Nations, local communities and other stakeholders are foundational to the review process and contributes to development of a world-class mine on Minnesota’s Iron Range,” said Tannice McCoy, NewRange president and general manager.
Current plans are designed to meet all permitting requirements. Proposed changes may be subject to supplemental environmental review and permitting and will include multiple opportunities for public comment and feedback.
NewRange is studying a variety of tailings storage options that will minimize impact by reusing the former LTV iron ore tailings facility and clean up impacts from previous iron mining operations, leaving the region in better condition than it is today. Options include keeping the current design detailed in permits, potentially refining the current design to use a centerline dam design, or possibly relocating tailings storage to nearby unused mining pits.
A comprehensive network of water monitoring locations will provide the baseline data to help ensure that NewRange meets or exceeds state, federal and tribal standards before, during and after operations.
NewRange is reviewing planned water treatment technologies, which already meet all applicable water quality standards.
NewRange is studying how to utilize the existing footprint to modestly increase production from 29 kt/d (32,000 stpd) to 36 kt/d (40,000 stpd) to deliver an increased domestic supply of high-demand copper, nickel and cobalt, while reducing project emissions.
There would be no change to the project’s 204 Mt (225 million st) of minerals currently permitted for mining and processing. However, if feasible, increased daily production could shorten the mine plan from 20 years to 15 years.
