TAMARACK — Talon Nickel submitted another metallic mineral exploration plan around Tamarack to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The company proposed 25 exploratory drill sites, mostly to the north of the Aitkin County city on state lands. Talon and Kennecott Exploration Company, which co-own the Tamarack Nickel Project, have explored the area intermittently since 2008.
If the proposal meets the requirements of applicable state laws and is approved by the DNR, Talon will have the right to explore under a mineral lease consistent with the plan and any conditions.
The exploratory drilling plan is the seventh in the past three years by Talon, which last year submitted a plan for an underground nickel and copper mine in Tamarack. The mine proposal is in the environmental review stage, which is the first step in a lengthy process.
There is a high demand worldwide for these metals, which are used in everything from cellphones to solar panels, windmills and electric vehicle batteries.
No company has ever mined for copper and nickel in Minnesota, and the project faces staunch opposition from environmental activists and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe over the potential for water pollution.
Two other copper-nickel proposals on the state’s Iron Range are on hold after running into regulatory roadblocks last year.
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A lifelong Crane Laker shows off the area and reflects on the community's history with Voyageurs National Park just before the Crane Lake Visitor Center opens. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEA man impersonating a police officer shot Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband in their Brooklyn Park home. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot multiple times. -
Contributed/Erin HaefeleWhen the garden or farmers market gives you everything at once, the best way to handle it is to return to the fundamentals: roast, grill, bake, pickle, can, dry, freeze and sauté. These aren’t just methods, they’re survival tools during harvest season. Especially grilling. Because it’s summer. And everything tastes better with a little char and a lot of butter.This week, Amy and Heidi talked to Erin Haefele of Green Scene in Walker, Minnesota, "a charming food haven nestled in the heart of rural northern Minnesota where small-town warmth meets big-city sophistication." Erin inspires us with simple preparations to deliciously fresh garden ingredients. And we hear from Amy's friend Beth Friedrichson from Wisconsin, who gushes about dilly beans and life on the farm with chickens and alpacas.Lots of folks phoned in to talk about their harvests, whether it was peonies in Stillwater, garlic near Detroit Lakes, urban front yard CSAs in Minneapolis, potato varieties in Deer River or stuffed grape leaves in Chicago, you had a story to tell. Share yours! This week's community recipe to cook along with us is Onion Pie: kaxe.org/community-recipe-onion-pie-ham-radio-amy-thielen. Give it a try and send us your reactions and photos at comments@kaxe.org!Ham Radio Features original licensed music — "You Know How I Like It" by Jeremy Messersmith.Made possible by the Minnesota Arts & Culture Heritage Fund. Support KAXE by becoming a member today: https://donate.nprstations.org/kaxe/donate -
And: Brainerd senior Ty Nelson wins a second triple jump title, and Red Lake County will play for a baseball title Saturday.
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Larissa Donovan/KAXEEntrepreneurs shaped downtown more than 100 years ago near the Lake Bemidji waterfront. Members of the Bemidji Heritage Preservation are committed to sharing their stories. -
Contributed/Frazee Hornet Baseball via FacebookRain made for an interesting end to the baseball season for many Class A teams Thursday. Grand Rapids lost in the 3A consolation championship. -
Chelsey Perkins/KAXEThree of the four Republicans voted in favor of rescinding funding already allocated for public media organizations through the CPB and four Democrats voted against. -
Emily John PhotographyKAXE responds to the House vote to rescind public media funding and urges the Senate to protect trusted local news, emergency alerts and community programming in Northern Minnesota. -
Nicole Neri/Minnesota ReformerAlthough education spending will increase, school districts will notice cuts to state aid for special education, school libraries and student supports like counselors and nurses. -
Contributed/Pequot Lakes High School via FacebookBrainerd senior Ty Nelson won another triple jump title Thursday, June 12, 2025, as Northern Minnesota 2A and 3A teams collectively won 88 medals at the state track and field meet.
