Talon Metals Corp said it has submitted its Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for the responsible development of its Tamarack project in the state.
The submission marks the beginning of the environmental impact scoping process for Tamarack, a nickel-copper-cobalt project in Aitkin County, Minnesota.
In the submission, Talon outlined key conceptual aspects of the project, including a smaller above-ground mine operation campus, no on-site crushing or processing of ore, covered railcars for transportation, and the use of a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) to create a sealed tunnel for safe access to the underground mine.
Talon said it plans to collect and treat water seeping from the bedrock and is committed to employing advanced membrane-based water treatment technology.
Talon Metals' CEO, Henri van Rooyen, expressed excitement about the new milestone.
"We have worked very hard and invested millions of dollars to understand the environment and cultural resources in the area where we are proposing (the project),” van Rooyen said in a statement.
“Environmental data collection started in 2006 and today includes data from the deep bedrock where the high-grade nickel deposit is found, to the surface water in the glacial till layer that contains wetlands, streams, rivers, lakes and homestead wells. This baseline data has helped the team to design the proposed project to safeguard the environment."
Tamarack is one of only three high-grade nickel sulphide deposits discovered globally in the 21st century. Talon is the 51% owner and operator, with an option to earn up to 60% from its joint venture partner Rio Tinto.
Community feedback
Talon’s team has held quarterly community meetings to listen to interests and concerns, which were then incorporated into design plans.
“Our decision to move the mineral processing operations and tailings storage to an existing industrial site in the drier area of Mercer County, North Dakota is an outcome of this process. In the mine planning process, we have been incorporating feedback into project design and utilizing innovative approaches and technology," said Chris Wallace, vice president environmental and permitting.
Other members of the team highlighted Talon’s commitment to producing the necessary ingredients like nickel for the US battery supply chain while also protecting the environment and cultural resources where it operates.
"We do not believe that addressing climate change should come at the expense of the natural environment,” CEO van Rooyen said.
“We can move to a clean energy system, protect the environment, respect tribal culture resources and self determination, involve front line communities and working people in project approvals and create good paying union jobs. It doesn't have to be a choice.”
Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com
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