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Published: October 23, 2026 |
NewRange Copper Nickel must complete a supplemental environmental impact statement, or SEIS, before it can begin the permitting process for its proposed NorthMet Mine near Hoyt Lakes. The decision, announced by the Department of Natural Resources Oct. 8, is not a surprise given the scale of proposed changes to the project over the past several years, and it was welcomed by NewRange officials.
“NewRange appreciates the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ determination as an important step in the permitting process, and we look forward to the next phase. We remain committed to delivering a world-class mine that meets all applicable standards and look forward to helping meet our nation’s demand for copper and providing a new generation of mining jobs here in Minnesota,” said company spokesperson Sam McCullough.
PolyMet Mining had originally proposed to mine the deposit of copper, nickel, and platinum group metals more than 20 years ago but spent more than a decade in the environmental review process. The proposed mine was fully permitted in 2018, before a series of legal challenges resulted in the suspension of some of the key permits, putting the project in limbo.
Glencore has since fully acquired PolyMet Mining. Since then, Glencore has joined forces with Teck Resources to form the NewRange joint venture, which is now pursuing the project. The new plan, submitted to the DNR on July 29, proposes changes to the layout of the mining area and processing areas, including stockpiles, buildings, and water management infrastructure, which would remain within the project areas previously evaluated. NewRange also proposes to remove the hydrometallurgical plant that had been part of the previous design. Ore production would increase from approximately 32,000 to 40,000 tons per day, while the mine’s lifespan would decrease from 20 years to 16 years.
Instead of using rail, NewRange proposes transporting material from the mine site to the on-site processing plant using a covered conveyor system approximately eight miles in length. The company also proposes a new approach for managing tailings; rather than using the site’s existing tailings basin for tailings disposal, the new design proposes in-pit tailings disposal on adjacent lands previously mined for iron ore.
NewRange’s proposed changes might require new or amended permits and other approvals from state, federal, and local agencies before it could proceed with project construction and operation. With the decision to conduct an SEIS, state and local agencies cannot make final decisions about any required permits until the SEIS is deemed adequate.
NEW REVIEW REQUIRED
According to a DNR statement, state law requires the DNR, as the responsible governmental unit, or RGU, to prepare an SEIS when proposed changes to the project are substantial and affect the potential for significant environmental impacts of the project or if there is new information that could significantly affect those potential impacts.
While the U.S. Forest Service and the DNR conducted a joint environmental review during the original PolyMet process, in this instance the DNR will conduct a state‑only review. The DNR will coordinate with federal partners, as is typical, where doing so can make the SEIS process more efficient.
The state’s SEIS will build on the final EIS approved in 2016 for the PolyMet proposal, rather than begin an entirely new process. It will do so by evaluating the proposed project changes and any new information or circumstances that have arisen over the past decade. Completing an SEIS does not result in a project approval or denial. Instead, the document is used to help guide regulators during the subsequent permitting process.
The DNR’s next step is to develop a preparation notice, which defines the scope of the SEIS. The preparation notice will summarize the proposed project changes, present relevant new information, outline the scope of the SEIS, and contain an anticipated timeline for completion of the SEIS. Once the preparation notice has been published, the DNR will provide an opportunity for public comment prior to any final decisions on the scope of the SEIS.
The proposed project changes may require new or amended permits and other approvals from state, federal and local agencies before project construction and operation could proceed. State and local agencies cannot make final decisions about any required permits until the SEIS is deemed adequate.
The NorthMet Project is a planned mine and associated processing facility to extract copper, nickel, cobalt, and platinum group metals, located about six miles north of Hoyt Lakes in St. Louis County. From 2004 to 2016, the project went through an extensive environmental review process. The final EIS was published in 2015 and determined adequate by the DNR in March 2016, marking the end of the state’s environmental review process at that time. On July 29, 2026, NewRange notified the DNR of proposed changes to the previously reviewed NorthMet Project design.
To support transparency and facilitate access to information, the DNR has updated its NorthMet Project webpage. The website offers basic information, history and background of the project as well as an overview of the environmental review and permitting processes. As the DNR moves through its processes, the website will also provide status updates, fact sheets, and proposer-developed data and studies.
Source: The Timberjay
NewRange Copper Nickel is a 50:50 joint venture between subsidiaries of Teck Resources and Glencore focused on the responsible development of the NorthMet and Sunrise deposits in northeastern Minnesota. These projects represent significant domestic sources of copper, nickel, cobalt, and platinum group elements (PGE) that are critical to modern infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and evolving energy systems. NewRange integrates rigorous engineering, environmental management, and regulatory discipline across all stages of project development. The company prioritizes safety, operational reliability, and long-term environmental performance while engaging constructively with regulatory agencies, local communities, and regional stakeholders. NewRange is headquartered in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota.
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