Talon Nickel submits another exploratory drilling plan in Tamarack

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.