Legalectric

Last night was the first of two DNR meetings for Scoping of environmental review for the Talon Mine. Do the background work and send in a comment.

Comments must be received by 4:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 14, 2026.

The online option for comments is HERE. You can attach documents to the comment form.

Here are handouts from the meeting:

We had a good turnout. The process is concerning. DNR takes the list of those who’ve signed up for comments and randomly selects people to comment. WHAT?!?! They also stationed a court reporter to take comments in a separate area, privately, so we don’t know what people are saying, their concerns, and we can’t learn from those other folks.

The parking lot was FULL, so parked on the grass, and went in to the building. A big bunch of union folks dressed up on bright blue shirts were having a confab on the other side of the building. When they came in, they sprinkled the auditorium, strategically placed, not all in a clump. The crowd in the hall, signing in and talking to different DNR folks at different tables with different areas to cover.

Just after Joanne and I got in line (she owns property pretty much on top of the mine!), Paula Maccabee came by. She’s been on mining for a while, like ? a decade, maybe more?? She was the greeter, keeping on eye on everything, and handing out bandanas, the yellow stood out well in the auditorium, far outweighed the union bright blue:

And then I turned around to check out how many were in line, and right behind me is Don Arnosti! Here’s the Comment he filed with them. His basic premise makes so much sense. How can legitimate environmental review be completed when there is NO PLAN? That’s just bizarre. READ THIS:

This is supposed to be a cross section of what’s underground, but frankly, I think it’s a MRI of a couple of a cow’s stomachs, and here’s the description, note the “massive” aspects, at the DNR’s page: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/input/environmentalreview/tamarack-nickel/2026-07-07-tal-scoping-eaw-figures.pdf

And about those “discrete sulfide blebs,” guess there’s some edumacation to do! Get to it:

• Draft Scoping Document
• Environmental Assessment Worksheet (December 2022)

Talon Mine has been brewing for a LONG time, and now we’re moving into a time in the Department of Natural Resources’ process when we can weigh in:

DNR NOTICE OF COMMENT PERIOD AND SCOPING DECISION

Comments must be made to the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) and received by 4:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 14, 2026.

There are two formal in-person comment opportunities (why Blaine?):

And the documents – plenty of homework to do:

Rio Tinto Press Release from February 2022 about its Talon mine (Talon Metals, Talon Nickel, whatever…):

DOE backs Rio Tinto led team to explore carbon storage at Tamarack

Did we learn nothing from the Mesaba Project and their bogus “carbon capture and storage” scam? Apparently not, here we go again…

Tesla will buy nickel from planned Talon Metals Minnesota mine

Here’s Talon’s June 2022 powerpoint:

This project is planned for the area around Tamarack, north mostly.

The Talon application to “continue” the “exploration plan” was approved earlier this year by the DNR, on April 12, 2022 (scroll down at link), less than a month after it was applied for!

The initial “exploration plan” was approved by the DNR on April 5, 2021:

Oh, but wait, that’s NOT the initial plan, there were two earlier applications to the DNR, also approved, oh, make that FOUR:

I first learned of this project when a friend in the neighborhood send a flyer and talking points from a meeting held up there in 2019, so I looked into it then, and there wasn’t much available:

Tamarack copper-nickel exploration? November 13th, 2019

This was the map of the site then:

DNR? Find a summary report and associated map of the proposed exploration related activities at the DNR’s exploration plan webpage. Their “exploration plan” was submitted on March 8, 2022 and approved on March ? … page was just updated, says now it was approved April 12, 2022. TODAY?!?!

Per the DNR page:

Here’s the latest map, published by DNR last month, with the Summary Report and Associated Map (DNR Source)  PDF . Note it was “Talon Metals” a while ago, and now on the DNR docs it’s “Talon Nickel LLC.”

And earlier there was these psychedelic maps that reminded me of knee surgery! Check it out:

Talon Metals near Tamarack? January 28th, 2021

Here’s what they claim for “resources” at the site:

Talon Metals is based in the Virgin Islands, c/o Craigmuir Chambers, P.O Box 71, Road Town, Tortola
British Virgin Islands, and the P.O. Box reminds me of Goodhue Wind’s office in the Goodhue Post Office!

Talon Metals does have a page for this project:

Tamarack Mine – Nickel Copper Cobalt – Talon Metals Corp

But when the Center of the American Experiment locks onto something, that’s a sign to pay attention:

Tamarack nickel mine could begin mining by 2026

Dream on…

Anyway, another email about this appeared recently, and there was a reference to:

www.tamarackwateralliance.org – with ZERO info on who the heck this is, what orgs are involved, no information whatsoever. That’s a big red flag for me.

There is this on that page, but again, no entities, individuals, no identification whatsoever:

Tamarack Water Alliance Consolidated Community Meeting Presentation

Inquiring minds want to know… I really don’t give credibility to anonymous info and sites out there on the interwebs.

This Talon project must be challenged, and STOPPED!

Found this, at the DNR’s News and Public Notices page:

March 15, 2022 – Plan submitted to explore on state nonferrous metallic minerals lease

Talon Nickel (USA) LLC (Talon) submitted a proposed plan to continue exploring for metallic mineral deposits in Aitkin County. Exploration will occur on leased state mineral rights in an area north of Tamarack, Minnesota. Kennecott Exploration Company (Kennecott) and Talon have explored in this area since the early 2000s.

Talon’s exploration plan proposes drilling exploratory borings using the diamond core method at up to 25 drill sites. Talon notes the possibility of multiple borings at each site. Talon plans to use existing access to drill sites. The company may need to construct new trails to reach some areas. Drilling activity, including sealing, will follow regulations set by the Department of Health.

Talon’s proposed plan includes downhole geophysical surveys in newly drilled borings and borings that are temporarily sealed. Talon’s proposal includes plans to use a drill rig to clear any blocked borings. The new exploration plan indicates that surveyors may conduct geophysical surveys on foot within the boundaries of the leased state mineral rights. When conducting ground-based geophysical surveys, surveyors may need to cut small amounts of brush to make room for the portable survey equipment, but surveyors will not cut lines or grids. Talon will place signs when conducting geophysical surveys.

Kennecott, which designated Talon as the operator for the proposed exploration activity, holds the state leases. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has approved the operating agreement between Kennecott and Talon.

Upon DNR approval, Talon has the right to explore state-owned lands consistent with the exploration plan, any stipulations, and applicable laws and rules.

Find a summary report and associated map of the proposed exploration related activities at the DNR’s exploration plan webpage.

Parking it here for future reference.