A news release from the Minnesota DNR explained how Twin Metals Minnesota proposed to “continue exploration for metallic minerals” five miles east of Babbitt. While this was really nothing new, the anti-mining groups went as far as saying Twin Metals is “trying to mine near the Boundary Waters.”
The area where Twin Metals is seeking to put down drill holes (similar to having a well drilled for your home, a far cry from trying to mine) is near Birch Lake, east of Babbitt. (See map of proposed drill locations on page two).
What else is just east of Babbitt? Northshore Mine. Three miles away a taconite mine is doing much more than drilling. The Boundary Waters is 10 miles away as a comparison.
The proposal came from Franconia Minerals, a subsidiary of Twin Metals Minnesota. The proposal calls for drilling exploratory borings at up to 19 sites and conducting down-hole geophysical surveys in the new borings, according to the DNR.
“If the proposal meets the requirements of applicable state laws and is approved by the DNR, Franconia will have the right to explore the specified state lands under a nonferrous metallic mineral lease consistent with the exploration plan, any conditions, and applicable laws and rules.”
Exploration has safely taken place in this area since the late 1800s. The one thing that has changed over time is exploration proposals must meet environmental standards and cannot degrade water quality.
Northeast Minnesota contains the world’s largest known undeveloped copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum group metals deposits. Plus one more underground asset: helium. Right now Pulsar is drilling not far from this location. They have a drill rig that will punch 10 holes thousands of feet underground.
And remember, it was exploration for metallic minerals that led to the discovery of one of the highest grades of helium ever found on planet Earth. At the time the exploratory drilling was looking for copper nickel according to Pulsar: “Drilled in 2011, helium-rich gas was intersected by chance while exploring for nickel.”
So is this drilling proposal any different from 2011? Not really. It’s routine business. It’s a nothing burger. But what it does appear to be is another way for environmental groups to line their pockets with donations.
