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.
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, sign-up for an opportunity to speak and submit written comments. At 6 p.m., attendees will be invited to view an informational presentation. At 6:30 p.m., the public commenting session begins, and individuals who signed up for an opportunity to speak will be randomly selected. To accommodate as many commenters as possible, commenters will be limited to 3 minutes and may only speak once per meeting.
McGregor High School, 148 S. 2nd St., McGregor, 55760
National Sports Center, 1750 105th Ave. NE, Blaine, 55449
- Rules and Expectations
- As at all public meetings, the DNR expects that attendees will remain cordial and respectful of all participants, agency staff, facility hosts and meeting rules. The DNR is working with facility representatives and local officials to ensure meetings are safe, welcoming and orderly.
The following are prohibited at the public meetings: Weapons of any kind
Signs or banners (that block view/unsafe)
Noisemakers or amplifiers
Illegal drugs or alcohol
Cigarettes including vape smoking
Glass
Animals other than trained service animals
Drones
Inside demonstrations
The DNR expects a large turnout and does not expect to accommodate everyone who wishes to speak publicly during the meeting. An independent facilitator hired by the DNR will select commenters using a random selection process for attendees who signed up to speak, and each commenter will have the opportunity to speak for up to 3 minutes. Commenters who do not abide by the time limit will be asked to quickly conclude their statement and send the rest of their comment via the other commenting methods listed above.
To ensure maximum use of the meeting time, participants will be expected to hold applause, refrain from interrupting speakers, avoid profanity, and be respectful to all other participants and staff. Anyone who disrupts the proceedings, interferes with anyone’s ability to speak or comment, or refuses to follow the meeting rules will be asked to leave the premises.
- Public Meetings Agenda
- 5 p.m. – Open House Begins
Informational stations and representatives from state agencies will be available to answer questions and discuss aspects of the scoping documents. Information stations will be open through the end of the public comment session.
Copies of the Scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet and Draft Scoping Decision Document will be available for viewing.
A court reporter will be available for attendees to privately provide spoken comments.
Attendees can sign up for the opportunity to speak during the public commenting session.
6 p.m. – Informational Presentation Begins
The meeting facilitator will welcome attendees, and DNR leadership will provide an introduction.
The DNR will provide a short presentation about the project description and the environmental review documents.
6:30 p.m. – Public Comment Session
Each participant selected via the random selection process will have the opportunity to speak for up to 3 minutes.
Responses to comments will not be provided during the meeting.
9 p.m. – Comment Session and Open House End
The public meeting will conclude and all attendees will be asked to leave the facility.
- McGregor High School Parking and Facility Information
- Free, onsite parking is available for the Aug. 5 meeting in the school parking lot or on the surrounding streets. The yellow star on the map below indicates the entrance for the meeting (Door #10). McGregor High School, 148 S 2nd St, McGregor, MN 55760.
The open house will be immediately inside the entrance, and the commenting session will occur in the adjacent auditorium. Signs will be posted.
- National Sports Center Parking and Facility Information
- Free, onsite parking is available for the Aug. 12 meeting at the Welcome Center of the National Sports Center, 1750 105th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55449. The yellow star on the map below indicates the entrance for the meeting.
The open house will be located in the hall to the left of the building entrance. Formal presentations and the public comment session will be held in the Grand Hall next to the open house. Signs will be posted.
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).
Click to enlarge
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.
Additional information
The DNR will provide website access to information about the Project throughout the environmental review process. This might include status updates, factsheets, and proposer-developed data and studies. It is possible that some information received by the DNR will not be posted. Items not posted could include general responses from the proposer to DNR questions, information that lacks accessibility when received, large-sized documents or those that are highly technical in nature. All documents in DNR’s possession will be available by request.
- Fact sheets
- The DNR created the following fact sheets (downloadable PDFs) to explain the environmental review process and other project-related considerations.
- Other DNR documents
- DNR news releases and statements
- News release: DNR receives mining proposal from Talon Metals
Other agencies involved
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.
- Proposer information and documents
March 23, 2026 – Tamarack Mining Project Submitted EAW Form
Dec. 26, 2025 – Tamarack Mining Project Submitted EAW Form
June 23, 2025 – Tamarack Mining Project Submitted EAW Form
December 12, 2024 – Tamarack Mining Project Submitted EAW Form
October 11, 2023 - Tamarack Mining Project Submitted EAW Form
Attachments
June 21, 2023 - Tamarack Mining Project Submitted EAW Form
Attachments