Mining & Environmental News

Minnesota Company to Close North Dakota Coal-fired Plant

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The company that operates the largest coal-fired power plant in North Dakota announced Thursday it will close the factory and replace most of its energy with new wind farms in Minnesota. Maple Grove, Minnesota-based Great River…

Opponents File New Challenge to Proposed Twin Metals Mine

MINNEAPOLIS-Opponents of the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota are suing to challenge the federal government’s renewal of the company’s mineral rights leases. The groups behind the new challenge lost an earlier lawsuit that claimed the Trump administration…

Layoffs Announced at Minntac

MT. IRON, Minn. - Layoffs are expected at Minntac in the coming weeks according to United Steelworkers Local 1938. Union leaders say U.S. Steel confirmed layoffs will begin on May 10 and are expected to last about eight weeks for…

Minnesota DNR Encourages Hunting, Fishing License Sales

DULUTH, Minn. - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resource is urging outdoor enthusiasts to continue purchasing fishing and hunting license this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Tim Walz has officially allowed fishing season…

Hibbing Taconite To Lay Off 650 Employees

Hibbing Taconite will be idling its plant in the beginning of May and laying off 650 of its 750 employees.  This comes after Northshore Mining announced hundreds of layoffs in Babbitt and Silver Bay, and Keetac Mine announced hundreds of…