DNR accepts comments on scram mining at former Hill Annex Mine State Park

CALUMET — The scram mining project proposed for the former Hill Annex Mine State Park in Calumet is up for public comment.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments until Nov. 30 on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet.

Calumet Reclamation Co. proposes to use scram mining methods to process legacy stockpiles and tailings containing hematite. The hematite would be processed into a concentrate-type product, which would be transported by rail to an iron production facility in Minot, North Dakota, that manufactures a type of iron called pig iron.

This would also entail demolishing some historic properties owned by the DNR at the site. The DNR mandates a worksheet to be completed to assess potential significant environmental impacts and whether the more stringent process of developing an environmental impact statement should be required.

The EAW was published in the Oct. 27 edition of the Environmental Quality Board Monitor. A 30-day public review and comment period is open until 4:30 p.m. Nov. 30.

A copy of the EAW is available on the project page of the DNR website.

A hard copy of the EAW can be requested by calling the project manager at 651-259-5126 and is available for public review at the following libraries:

• DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul
• Marble Public Library, 302 Alice Ave., Marble
• Calumet Public Library, 932 Gary St., Calumet

Comments can be submitted:

• Using the DNR’s online commenting webpage.
• By mail to Hill Annex EAW project manager, Environmental Review Unit, Ecological and Water Resources Division, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155.

Anyone who provides a mailing address or submits online comments will receive a copy of the subsequent decision document, which will include responses to comments.

Because all comments and related information are part of the public record for this environmental review, commenters’ names as well as email or postal addresses will be published and publicly available as they appear in the materials commenters submit.