The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public open house and hearing on Wednesday, August 12th, to gather public input on the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Tamarack Mining Project in east-central Minnesota.
The Tamarack Mine, proposed by Talon Nickel (USA) LLC as part of a joint venture between Talon Metals and Rio Tinto, would be an underground copper-nickel mine near Tamarack, Minnesota. According to the DNR, ore extracted from the site would be transported by rail to processing facilities in North Dakota and Michigan, with no ore processing or tailings storage proposed in Minnesota.
The proposed mine has drawn significant attention because of its proximity to the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Reservation. The Mille Lacs Band says the project would be located less than two miles from its reservation, community lands, and waters that are culturally, spiritually, and environmentally significant to the Band. The Band has raised concerns about potential impacts to water quality, wild rice, fish, wildlife, and sacred cultural sites.
The August 12th meeting is part of the state’s environmental review process and is intended to help determine what topics should be analyzed in the Environmental Impact Statement. The DNR emphasizes that the scoping process is an information-gathering step and is not a decision on whether the project will ultimately move forward. Public comments received during the process will help determine what environmental impacts, alternatives, and mitigation measures are studied in the EIS.
The Mille Lacs Band has encouraged community members to participate, noting that the scope of this environmental review could help shape how Minnesota evaluates future mining proposals, particularly those located near Tribal lands and culturally significant natural resources.
Public Hearing Information
Date: Wednesday, August 12th, 2026
Location: National Sports Center
1750 105th Ave. NE
Blaine, MN 55449
Schedule:
- Open House: 5–9 p.m.
- Project Presentation: 6 p.m.
- Public Comment Period: Begins at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Those wishing to speak will be selected randomly, and verbal comments will be limited to three minutes to allow as many participants as possible an opportunity to comment. Written comments may also be submitted during the meeting or through the DNR’s public comment process. Comments on the EIS scoping documents will be accepted through September 14th, 2026.
Learn More
Additional information about the environmental review process and public comment period is available on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Tamarack Mining Project webpage.
The Mille Lacs Band’s information and analysis of the proposed project, including its concerns regarding potential environmental and cultural impacts, is available through its Water Over Nickel initiative and Mining Impact webpage.
Sources
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Tamarack Mining Project Environmental Impact Statement. Project webpage
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. News Release: Minnesota DNR seeks comments on scope of Environmental Impact Statement for proposed Tamarack Mining Project (July 14, 2026). DNR news release
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Mining Impact / Water Over Nickel. Mille Lacs Band Mining Impact page
