Tamarack Mining Project Environmental Impact Statement

State environmental review of the proposed Tamarack Mining project

Scoping documents available for public review and comment

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comments on the scoping documents for an EIS for the Tamarack Mining Project (Project) near Tamarack, Minnesota. The Scoping EAW (SEAW) identifies the Project's potentially significant impacts that warrant detailed analysis for public consideration. The Draft Scoping Decision Document (DSDD) proposes alternatives, necessary studies and additional data needs for the EIS. These documents are posted below. The DNR will consider public comments before finalizing the scope of topics to be included in the EIS.The scoping documents and the EIS are information-gathering documents meant to inform any future permits or approvals the Project may need. They are not decision-making documents regarding whether the project may proceed to construction and operation. 

Public Comment Period

The comment period for the DSDD and SEAW is open July 14, 2026, through Sept. 14, 2026. Comments must be received by 4:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. For tips on how to comment, please see the “Effective Commenting” factsheet. Electronic comments can be submitted via the commenting form linked below.

Comment on scoping documents here »

Comments by U.S. Mail or other delivery service can be submitted to the following address:

Tamarack EAW Project Manager 
Environmental Review Unit 
Ecological and Water Resources Division, DNR 
500 Lafayette Rd. Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55155-4025

A hard copy of the SEAW and DSDD may be requested by calling 651-259-5677 and is available for public review at the following libraries:

• DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, 55155

• Duluth Public Library, 520 West Superior Street Duluth, 55802

• Aitkin Public Library, 110 1st Ave NE, Aitkin, MN 56431

Anyone providing a mailing address or submitting 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 and email or postal addresses will be publicly available as they appear in the materials commenters submit.

Public Meetings

The DNR is holding two public meetings during the 60-day comment period. Each public meeting will have an open house beginning at 5 p.m. where attendees can learn more about the project, ask questions, and submit written comments. At 6 p.m., attendees will be invited to view an informational presentation, followed at 6:30 p.m. by the opportunity to provide verbal comments. To accommodate as many people seeking to make verbal comments as possible, individuals will be selected randomly and be limited to 3 minutes.

 
Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the DNR at [email protected] or 651-259-5677 by July 22, 2026. Calls from Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) users are welcome.

Project Overview

Talon Nickel (USA) LLC is proposing to develop an underground mine in central Minnesota for the extraction of nickel, copper and iron ore that would be processed offsite, in Mercer County, North Dakota, and Marquette County, Michigan, to produce metal concentrates for the domestic battery supply chain.

The DNR is charged with preparing an EIS for the proposed Tamarack Mining project (the Project). This role is known as being the responsible governmental unit (RGU).

There are three parts to the EIS process: EIS scoping, EIS preparation and EIS adequacy. Scoping is the first phase of the EIS process. The purpose of scoping is to identify the potentially significant environmental and socioeconomic issues requiring detailed analysis, alternatives (e.g., alternative sites, technologies, layouts, scales, etc.) to be evaluated and potential mitigation options. Scoping helps the agency focus environmental review on the most important issues but also helps define alternatives and additional data needs. The Project proposer is required to pay the DNR costs for conducting all phases of the EIS process, including any costs for the DNR to hire consultants to assist with the scoping and preparation of the EIS.

Project location

Project timeline

Click here for a detailed map of the proposed mine site »

The project would be located approximately 30 miles west of Cloquet, Minnesota, approximately 1.5 miles north of the city of Tamarack and approximately 10 miles east of McGregor, Minnesota.

Project-related information from other agencies will be posted here when available. The DNR is coordinating with other state and federal agencies and Tribal governments throughout the environmental review process.

Tamarack Mining Project – proposer documents

Proposer documents

Below are documents prepared by Talon to provide supporting data and analysis for the EIS. New documents will be posted as they become available.

IMPORTANT: These documents are posted as provided by Talon to inform interested parties, and the DNR makes no claim on the accuracy of the content provided below. As RGU, the DNR will assess the accuracy and completeness of all information used in the EIS, including proposer-provided information. This is an ongoing activity.