Taconite Mine and Plant Expansions
Several taconite mines are expanding. Of special concern is the William Mitchell Mine of North Shore Mining because of the asbestos-like fibers found in the very hard rock of this mine. This taconite is processed at the North Shore Mining plant in Silver Bay. This plant was formerly known as Reserve Mining, and is infamous for the Clean Water Act lawsuit by citizens (and later the state of MN) to stop the dumping of fine rock waste directly into Lake Superior. Judge Miles Lord ordered the company to switch to on-land tailings ponds at milepost 7 on their rail line to the mine. North Shore Mining would supply taconite concentrate (non-pelletized) to Mesabi Nugget for further refinement.
May 29, 2007: Citizens to Enforce Clean Air Act to Protect Public Health in Silver Bay Area
Sierra Club and Save Lake Superior Association have notified Northshore Mining of their intent to bring a legal action to enforce air quality standards for asbestos-like fibers in the air of the Silver Bay area of Minnesota's North Shore. The type of mineral fibers in the air from Northshore has been shown to pose a health risk to humans. The plant on the shore of Lake Superior processes taconite from the Peter Mitchell Mine.
“If we can bring fiber levels into compliance and prevent even
one person from getting sick this action will be worthwhile,” said
Clyde Hanson, Co-Chair of the Sierra Club Mining Without Harm
Campaign. “Don't folks in Silver Bay deserve air that's at least as
clean as the air in St. Paul?” asked Hanson.
» More on Clean Air & Public Health in Silver Bay
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