Strengthening Energy Security in Minnesota
WINTER MAGAZINE STORY - Read about the state of mining in Northern Minnesota and how union carpenters play a role in renovating a mine in Hoyt Lakes, MN. To read the full magazine, click HERE.
Strengthening Energy Security in Minnesota
In Northern Minnesota, mining has occurred in the area for the last 140 years. NewRange Copper Nickel is a company that hopes to continue mining in the area. NewRange is a critical minerals mining company located in the Iron Range region of Northeast Minnesota with goals to advance the legacy of mining, strengthen U.S. energy security, and support a clean energy transition.
NewRange controls one of the largest underdeveloped copper-nickel resources near Babbitt, MN, and is working on another project near Hoyt Lakes, MN - the NorthMet project. This site is a joint venture between Glencore and Teck, two larger companies who partnered with NewRange on this endeavor.
Onsite at the NorthMet project, the mine spans several hundred acres where the main building is a quarter of a mile long with a lot of potential for operation. It is currently undergoing restoration where union carpenters and millwrights have played an integral role in removing the 64 rod and ball mills from the building. Colin Marsh, Director of External Affairs for NewRange stated, “Our friends in labor are helping make this project happen.”
Along with several other buildings onsite to manage the pulverization of rocks ie., the coarse crusher, the plan is to open a pit mining operation that will produce 32,000 tons of copper and nickel-copper concentrates a day.
The interior of the concentrator that is undergoing renovations.
With the increasing need for copper and nickel for technological advances, it is important to mine in this area and union members are helping get the job done. NewRange plans to invest $1 billion to responsibly develop natural resources in the area with help from union carpenters and millwrights. It is likely they will need 2 million construction work hours to rehabilitate the existing iron ore processing site.
Projections for the next several years estimate that in 2027 NewRange will need to employ approximately 700 people, providing a significant employment opportunity for individuals in the state and in the region.
NewRange is committed to enhancing its environmental safeguards and optimizing performance on all of their projects. The company is focused on improving tailings storage, water management, and developing cost-effective, efficient production methods. Other mining organizations across the state are also committed to building strong relationships with the communities in which they operate. They prioritize environmental stewardship and long-term stability, ensuring their operations benefit both the economy and the environment.
Tailings storage onsite at the NorthMet Project.
By partnering with local communities and maintaining a focus on responsible mining, Minnesota’s mining sector continues to grow while helping meet the nation’s demand for critical minerals. The future of mining in the Iron Range is not only about economic opportunity, but also about sustainable development and strengthening the region’s workforce for years to come.