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Iron Range Taconite Processing Expansion

EIS In ProgressMining·Lead: DNR·Hoyt Lakes, MN
Milestones
6/12
completed
Statutory Deadline
1155 days
May 2, 2029
Subd. 6(c): 4-year EIS deadline
Days in Review
354
since CPP request
Timeline Extensions
0%
5 modified milestones

Project Description

Proposed expansion of existing taconite processing facility including new tailings basin, upgraded air emission controls, and increased processing capacity from 8M to 14M tons per year. Project includes 2.4 miles of new haul road and water treatment infrastructure.

Applicant
Mesabi Mining Corp.
Estimated Cost
$1,200,000,000
CPP Requested
March 15, 2025
CPP Prepared
May 10, 2025
County
St. Louis
Requires EIS
Yes

Permitting Timetable

Today
EAW Submitted
Mar 25
EAW Deemed Complete
May 25
CPP Prepared
May 25
EIS Need Decision
Aug 25
Draft Scoping Decision
Nov 25
Final Scoping Decision
Jan 26
Draft EIS Published
Oct 26
Final EIS Published
Apr 27
EIS Adequacy Decision
Jul 27
Air Permit Issued
Oct 27
Water Appropriation Permit
Sep 27
NPDES Permit Issued
Oct 27
Complete
On Track
At Risk
Overdue
Upcoming

Participating Agencies(Subd. 5(a)(1))

DNRDepartment of Natural Resources
Lead agency for environmental review; water appropriation, mining permits
MPCAMinnesota Pollution Control Agency
Lead agency for environmental review and air/water permitting
MDHMinnesota Department of Health
Health impact assessment and drinking water protection
MnDOTMinnesota Department of Transportation
Transportation access and road impact analysis
BWSRBoard of Water and Soil Resources
Wetland conservation and soil management

Public Meetings(Subd. 5(a)(2))

ScopingJuly 22, 2025
Hoyt Lakes Community Center
Public scoping meeting for EIS preparation
ScopingNovember 5, 2025
Virginia City Hall
Additional scoping meeting per public request
Tribal ConsultationFebruary 10, 2026
Bois Forte Band Tribal Center
Formal government-to-government consultation
Draft EISNovember 15, 2026
Hoyt Lakes Community Center
Public comment meeting on Draft EIS

Deadline Modifications(Subd. 7)

Final Scoping Decision
Original: January 15, 2026 → Modified: February 1, 2026
Extended public comment period due to tribal consultation requirements
Draft EIS Published
Original: September 1, 2026 → Modified: October 15, 2026
Air quality modeling requires additional baseline data collection
Final EIS Published
Original: March 1, 2027 → Modified: April 15, 2027
EIS Adequacy Decision
Original: June 1, 2027 → Modified: July 15, 2027
Air Permit Issued
Original: September 1, 2027 → Modified: October 15, 2027

Statutory Notifications

20% extension threshold approachingPending

Combined deadline modifications are at 15% of original timeline. If Draft EIS slips further, legislative notification may be required.

Sep 1, 2026Subd. 7(c)
Draft EIS deadline at riskTriggered

Air quality modeling delays may push Draft EIS publication past October 2026 target. Original target: September 2026.

Feb 28, 2026Subd. 6(c)
Final Scoping Decision deadline modifiedTriggered

Deadline extended from Jan 15 to Feb 1 due to tribal consultation. Extension within acceptable range.

Jan 15, 2026Subd. 7(b)
Quarterly update duePending

Q2 2026 quarterly CPP update due by June 30, 2026.

Jun 15, 2026Subd. 5(b)

Documents

Environmental Assessment Worksheet
DNR · Mar 15, 2025
Final
Coordinated Project Plan
DNR · May 10, 2025
Final
Draft Scoping Decision Document
DNR · Nov 1, 2025
Final
Final Scoping Decision Document
DNR · Jan 28, 2026
Final
Tribal Consultation Summary
DNR · Feb 15, 2026
Final
Air Quality Baseline Study
MPCA · Jun 1, 2026
Under Review
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
DNR · Oct 15, 2026
Pending
Wetland Delineation Report
BWSR · Dec 15, 2025
Final

Permitting Milestones

EAW SubmittedComplete
DNR · Completed Mar 15, 2025
EAW Deemed CompleteComplete
DNR · Completed May 2, 2025
CPP PreparedComplete
DNR · Completed May 10, 2025
EIS Need DecisionComplete
DNR · Completed Aug 10, 2025
Draft Scoping DecisionComplete
DNR · Completed Nov 15, 2025
Final Scoping DecisionComplete
DNR · Completed Jan 28, 2026
Extended public comment period due to tribal consultation requirements
Draft EIS PublishedAt Risk
DNR · Target: Oct 15, 2026(was Sep 1, 2026)
Air quality modeling requires additional baseline data collection
Final EIS PublishedUpcoming
DNR · Target: Apr 15, 2027(was Mar 1, 2027)
EIS Adequacy DecisionUpcoming
EQB · Target: Jul 15, 2027(was Jun 1, 2027)
Air Permit IssuedUpcoming
MPCA · Target: Oct 15, 2027(was Sep 1, 2027)
Water Appropriation PermitUpcoming
DNR · Target: Sep 1, 2027
NPDES Permit IssuedUpcoming
MPCA · Target: Oct 1, 2027

Quarterly Updates(Subd. 5(b))

Q2 2025June 30, 2025

CPP prepared and distributed to all participating agencies. EAW review proceeding on schedule.

Q3 2025September 30, 2025

EIS need decision issued. Scoping process initiated. Tribal consultation commenced with Bois Forte Band.

Q4 2025December 31, 2025

Draft scoping decision published. Public comment period extended 15 days at request of local communities.

Q1 2026March 31, 2026

Final scoping decision issued. CPP updated for remainder of EIS process. Air quality baseline monitoring underway.