Minnesota Climate Donor Table - Mining and Climate in Minnesota – Session 1: The State Agencies

Minnesota’s mining industry is both a source of economic opportunity and a growing climate and environmental concern. In addition to iron ore and taconite, the state holds significant deposits of copper, nickel, and cobalt. The minerals are central to the clean energy transition. Minnesota has set one of the more ambitious carbon-free energy goals in the United States -- 100% carbon free by 2040. However, mining can release pollutants into waterways, degrade carbon-sequestering peatlands, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. These mineral reserves sit within the Treaty territory for some of the state's 11 sovereign tribal nations as well as at the headwaters of water and wilderness resources such as the Boundary Waters, Lake Superior, and the Mississippi River.

Major proposed mining projects include the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project, Mesabi Metallics Project, and NorthMet Project. One of the most contentious proposed mining projects is Twin Metals’ proposed mine at the Maturi deposit in northeastern Minnesota. The deposit contains one of North America’s largest copper, nickel, and cobalt reserves and could produce 750 full-time jobs. It could also contaminate the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness watershed. In 2026, the U.S. Senate voted to end a 20-year Biden-era moratorium on mining in the Boundary Waters, a move that could allow Twin Metals to seek federal permits to restart operations.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) have the authority to review and make decisions about permits based on state statutes, rules, and policies, as well as input from the public, Tribal Nations, and other parties. Attend this session and learn about the roles this legal framework and these agencies will play in potentially deciding this issue. We will reserve time to discuss the implications of these decisions on the work of MN Climate Donor Table members and explore ways for philanthropy to best engage on this topic.

Agenda

10:00 a.m. – Welcome, Introductions & Overview

10:15 a.m. – Discussion of the State Role

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

• Deputy Commissioner Barb Naramore
• Assistant Commissioner Jess Richards

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

• Assistant Commissioner Frank Kohlasch
• Assistant Commissioner Dana Vanderbosch

Discussion and Questions & Answers

11:40 a.m. – Minnesota Funders-Only Discussion

12:00 p.m. – Adjourn

MCF takes seriously the health of staff, members and other stakeholders. Please see the public health measures that we've instituted for in-person programming. In order to create the best in-person experience, this event will not be simulcast. Learn more here.

For additional information, please reach out to Dave Anderson, [email protected].