THE NORTHMET PROJECT | MN
Updated | August 4, 2026
Status | PROPOSED – On July 29, 2026, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources was notified by NewRange that they are proposing changes to the project. The DNR will review the proposal to determine if a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement is needed. They will post their decision on the project website in about one month. New or amended permits may also be required. This project is now owned by NewRange Copper Nickel LLC. NewRange is a joint venture between PolyMet Mining Corp., and Teck Resources.
If the DNR determines that a SEIS is needed, "it would draft an SEIS preparation notice. This notice would summarize the proposed changes to the project, present relevant new information, outline the scope of the SEIS, and provide an anticipated timeline for completion. The notice would be published for public review and comment, and at least one public meeting would be held."
History | In June, 2015, the Preliminary Final EIS was submitted for internal review. A PFEIS summary document can be found at the MNDNR website. (The initial Draft EIS was rated as “Environmentally Unsatisfactory-Inadequate” by the U.S. EPA.) The Final Environmental Impact Statement was published by state and federal agencies and draft permits were issued. In August 6, 2019, the Water Pollution Permit was suspended. As of January 13, 2020, the Permit to Mine and Dam Safety Permits were suspended. In February 2021, Wetlands Destruction Permits were suspended. The court process is on-going.
Location | Superior National Forest, between Hoyt Lakes and Babbitt, MN
Type of Mine | open pit – copper, nickel and precious metals
Estimated Mine Life | 20 years
Anticipated Output | 32,000 tons/day = 69.4 million lbs of copper, 9.6 million lbs of nickel, plus other trace minerals (see company website)
Concerns |
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The low-grade ore (<1% minerals) is located in a sulfide ore body. 99% of the rock removed will be waste.
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Waste rock will be dumped into an existing unlined waste basin. There are concerns about the stability of the 60-year old basin formerly operated by LTV. The 2-mile wide tailings basins will also be unlined. It is estimated that seepage from the basins will need to be treated for 200 years.
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The mine and tailings basins sites will drain into the St. Louis River, a tributary to Lake Superior. The site is upstream of the Fond du Lac Reservation and other Ojibwe ceded territories. Negative impacts of the mine will disproportionately affect tribal resources.
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914 acres of wetlands will be directly destroyed. As many as 8,600 acres may be damaged or impaired.
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The U.S. Forest Service has completed a land exchange with Polymet. Polymet acquired 6,650 acres of federal lands over the mineral deposit. The Forest Service acquired 6,690 acres. (MDNR fact sheet)
Projected Jobs Created | 360 direct, 600 indirect (see company website)
Company Website | NewRange Copper Nickel LLC
State Agency Website | MN Department of Natural Resources
Additional Information | The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, and Waterlegacy are actively monitoring the Polymet Project.
Notes | This summary was assembled with information from the Northmet website, state agency websites and the Waterlegacy website.
