Twin Metals mineral exploration planned near Babbitt

James Devine, Twin Metals Community & Project Operations Manager, loads core samples from an exploration drilling crew. Courtesy: Twin Metals Minnesota

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — Twin Metals Minnesota has submitted a plan for mineral exploration.

They plan to continue exploration for metallic minerals in an area about 5 miles east of Babbitt.

The plan includes drilling exploratory borings and making downhole geophysical surveys.

Exploration like this is different than mining, it gathers data on the size, scope, and metal content of deposits while being environmentally conscious.

Twin Metals released a statement to FOX21 on the proposed exploration:

“Twin Metals Minnesota’s submittal of a plan for an upcoming exploration program builds on our long history of successful and safe mineral exploration activities in northeast Minnesota. Exploration is fundamental to mapping out the characteristics of our mineral deposits, and it helps the state of Minnesota better understand its resources. Exploration is not the same as mining; it is an exercise in gathering data about the size, scope, geometry, depth, and metal content of our minerals, which lie deep underground. Twin Metals is proud to continue to invest in our local communities by bringing economic activity to the area through the contractors we hire for our exploration programs.”

If the proposal meets legal requirements and is approved by the DNR, work could start as early as next year.

More information on the process can be found on the Twin Metals Minnesota website.