NewRange Copper Nickel, home to one of America’s largest undeveloped copper and nickel resources, announced it submitted the NorthMet Project’s Clean Water Act Section 404 wetland permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a request to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to complete a supplemental environmental review (SEIS).
NewRange also unveiled proposed design enhancements for the NorthMet Project, located largely on previously impacted mining lands and supported by existing infrastructure. The enhancements reflect years of additional engineering, expanded site data, and stakeholder input.
The enhancements are designed to strengthen water management, reduce discharge of water by an estimated 75% compared with the previous design, support longterm environmental performance, and prioritize the redevelopment of previously impacted mining lands while modernizing legacy infrastructure. Details are available here.
“NewRange is forging the next chapter of this historic northern Minnesota mining district,” said Tannice McCoy, president and general manager of NewRange Copper Nickel. “The NorthMet Project gives previously impacted lands a new life by responsibly developing critical minerals, supporting domestic supply chain creation, and growing the economy for the local skilled workforce. It’s the right project, in the right place, at the right time to make Minnesota a world leader in 21st century resource development.”
The NorthMet Project is positioned to play a crucial role in strengthening U.S. energy and national security.
It would help unlock a secure, domestic supply of copper, nickel, cobalt, and platinum group elements (PGE) essential to power grid infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and modern technologies. As global competition for these resources intensifies, developing a homegrown supply from a globally significant deposit reduces reliance on foreign sources and helps reinforce America’s supply chain resilience.
NewRange has previously completed substantial elements of the rigorous state permitting process and currently holds 21 of 24 permits required to begin NorthMet operations. The company will continue working collaboratively with stakeholders as the remaining reviews proceed.
Under Minnesota’s process, the DNR will determine whether a SEIS is required and, if so, will define its scope for public review and comment. At the federal level, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will evaluate the Section 404 application, determine completeness, and establish the appropriate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) pathway, including whether an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is necessary.
Originally proposed by PolyMet Mining, Inc., the NorthMet Project underwent environmental review from 2004 to 2016.
NewRange Copper Nickel LLC, the project’s current owner, is proposing several modifications to the previously reviewed project design, including adjustments to the layout of the mining area and processing areas. Ore production would increase from approximately 32,000 to 40,000 tons per day, while the mine’s lifespan would decrease from 20 years to 16 years.
In addition, NewRange proposes transporting material from the mine site to the on-site processing plant using a covered conveyor system instead of rail. Finally, the company also proposes in-pit tailings disposal on adjacent lands previously mined for iron ore.
If the DNR determines that an SEIS is required, it would draft an SEIS preparation notice. This notice would summarize the proposed changes to the project, present relevant new information, outline the scope of the SEIS, and provide an anticipated timeline for completion. The notice would be published for public review and comment, and at least one public meeting would be held.
Additionally, the company’s proposed changes might require new or amended permits and other approvals from state, federal and local agencies before it could proceed with project construction and operation. If an SEIS is required, state and local agencies cannot make final decisions about any required permits until the SEIS is deemed adequate.
Previous environmental review documents and permitting information for the NorthMet Project are on the DNR’s NorthMet Project webpage (mndnr.gov/lands_minerals/ new-range). Anyone interested in receiving email updates about the environmental review process can sign up on the project webpage.
