Mining

The agency announced its decision to require supplemental environmental review Oct. 8, 2026, for the copper-nickel project planned between Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes.

The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature met in special session to nearly double the state's allowable tax incentives as Mesabi Metallics plans a steel mill there.

The Mesabi Metallics plant, which will source iron from the company's mine in Nashwauk, may begin producing steel as early as 2030.

The mining company celebrated a $770 million federal loan and the production of its first concentrate at a blast event Sept. 17, 2026. Two days earlier, it announced the "next phase of investment" at an Itasca County Board meeting.

The 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.

The state's Pollution Control Agency says United Taconite did not perform the regular emissions tests required by its air permit.

Residents around Calumet received a peek behind the curtain Aug. 21, 2026, at the iron reclamation project set to transform the former Hill Annex Mine.

Stauber, state officials and local mayors voiced their opposition at a press conference Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026.

The Babbitt mine and Hoyt Lakes processing plant is expected to impact about 1,100 acres of wetlands, according to the company's permit application.

Walz is instructing the DNR not to grant permits. This move bears a strong risk of litigation over Twin Metals, which wants to extract copper, nickel, cobalt and other valuable metals from underground veins.