VIRGINIA — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments through Oct. 2 on U.S. Steel's proposed modifications for its tailings storage facility at its Keetac taconite mining operation.
The proposal includes raising existing dams and dikes and extending them beyond the current tailings storage facility's footprint.
The project would also include constructing a new access road, a new industrial building and infrastructure for tailings separation and tailings dewatering. Tailings are discharged from mines, containing water, crushed rock, minerals, and chemical byproducts used in mineral extraction.
"The infrastructure would produce coarse tailings for use in dam and dike construction and thickened fine tailings for discharge to the tailings storage facility. The project proposes revisions to the existing tailings basin, but there are no proposed revisions to mining activities or taconite processing facilities," stated the DNR news release.
Comments on the environmental assessment worksheet must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. Oct. 2.
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Larissa Donovan/KAXEThrough a partnership with the Nature Conservancy, Endazhi-Nitaawiging, Red Lake's first charter school, celebrated the arrival of its new pontoon with family boat rides and hot chocolate on Nov. 12, 2025. -
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Red Lake Nation's charter school, Endazhi-Nitaawiging, recently partnered with the Nature Conservancy for a new pontoon, with a few school families braving cool temperatures to celebrate its arrival on Nov. 12, 2025. -
Plus: Local leaders sign the Civic Pledge for a Stronger Minnesota.
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Contributed/Chelsey PerkinsFrom sporting events to first days of school, annual festivals to spontaneous gatherings, moments of triumph or devastating tragedies, Kohls documented it as part of the first draft of history. -
Megan Buffington/KAXECurrent and former state legislators, city councilors and business and other community leaders signed the Civic Pledge for a Stronger Minnesota in Grand Rapids. -
Scott Rodgerson/UnsplashThe Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will investigate the Nov. 13, 2025, incident. The names of the victim and law enforcement involved have not been released.
