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.
-
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe staff also found starry stonewort in Six Mile Lake, near the city of Cass Lake. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe Bemidji Planning Board voted 6-1 to prohibit new developments of data centers greater than 10,000 square feet during its meeting Sept. 14, 2026. -
Contributed/USFWS Midwest RegionDuring the Phenology Report for the week of Sept. 15, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer discovers Nevada flora and fauna and notes seasonal transitions in Northern MN. -
Plus: DNR cancels mineral lease for Twin Metals; and ICE's immigration crackdown last winter may have ripple effects for farm labor during harvest season. -
Malachy Koons/KAXEThe KAXE Music Team on new music from Ezra Collective, Sylvan Esso, Pokey LaFarge, Downtown Boys, Valerie June, Willi Carlisle, and Ex:Re. Plus our Pick From '76, Sparks. -
Contributed/Twin Metals Minnesota via MinnPostThe action comes weeks after executive action by Gov. Tim Walz halted the mining company's efforts to establish a copper-nickel mine in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe Bureau of Indian Affairs announced it was assuming operations of family and children services in Red Lake following a raid on Sept. 10, 2026. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionAn estimated 15,000–20,000 seasonal agricultural workers arrive for work in Minnesota during the peak harvesting season, according to the National institutes of Health. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionMinnesota lawmakers heard testimony Sept. 9, 2026, about the domino effects felt by people closely tied to human service programs as the state combats fraud. -
Contributed/MedicAlert UK via Unsplash.comThe standard began Sept. 10, 2026, following approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Aug. 11.
