CALUMET — Hill Annex Mine State Park in Calumet is now closed to allow mining to return, but locals still have questions about the future of the site.
Open-pit iron ore mining ceased at the site in 1978, and Hill Annex became a state park in 1991. But it was never extensively developed as a park, and the plan always included the resumption of mining — if or when it became economically viable.
After receiving two mining proposals, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources decided that time is now. One came from Scranton Holding for Calumet Reclamation, a scram mining project that would recover ore from the former mine’s waste piles. If the DNR approves Scranton Holding’s permits, mining could begin next year, the agency stated in a news release.
The Minnesota Legislature abolished the park — which is on school trust lands — in a natural resources supplemental budget bill (HF3911) this legislative session. Gov. Tim Walz signed the bill into law May 21.
At the Western Mesabi Mine Planning Board meeting in March, Calumet Mayor John Tuorila said he didn’t even know of the mining project named after his own town. A presentation from Scranton Holding CEO John Bougalis at the meeting did little to answer his many questions. Months later, Tuorila is still waiting for answers on noise, traffic, tax benefits and other ways the project could impact the city.
“We’re [the City Council] cautiously optimistic that something is going to take place,” Tuorila said Friday, June 14. “But at the same time, we all have somewhat reservations about the fact there’s going to be something going on that close to where people live in Calumet."
He said the waste piles targeted by the scram mining project are close to people’s homes.
Multiple signs along Highway 169 through Calumet reference Hill Annex. The name of the park is on the city’s water tower.
While it knew mining would one day return, the Western Mesabi Mine Planning Board has focused on building up the park for years. Board members found out about the park closure in March, just like everyone else. Now, the Board is trying to work with the DNR and other entities to save historic artifacts and equipment within the park from demolition — maybe even the community clubhouse where Tuorila’s parents met.
When mining is completed, the legislation requires a task force with representatives from the Western Mesabi Mine Planning Board, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board and the Office of School Trust Lands to come up with plans for the land that would benefit the community.
Tuorila reflected on the difference between these new mining projects and the ones he grew up with in Calumet — open pit mining that would continue until the ore ran out and would provide good union jobs.
“There are just so many question marks,” he said. “And there’s been so many promises made for so many years.”
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