'NO AMOUNT OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE TO US'
By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor
In the global fight against climate change, the Biden administration is pushing the U.S. auto industry to accelerate a transition to electric vehicles (EVs). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April 2023 proposed rules that could result in as much as two-thirds of the new vehicle market shifting to EVs by 2032. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe is a firm proponent in protecting the environment and reducing the impacts of climate change. But they will stand firm in their commitment to protect the natural environment, manoomin (wild rice), medicinal plants, and cultural resources that are already struggling to survive and adapt to the rapidly changing climate.
“The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe believes that advancements in green technology are critical to protecting our planet from the effects of climate change,” said Mille Lacs Band Commissioner of Natural Resources Kelly Applegate. “At the same time, we must ensure that these advancements do not endanger our natural environment or Indigenous communities.”
As the automobile industry scrambles to produce more EVs, the most expensive component to powering them is the nickel-based battery. Talon Metals Corp. is proposing an underground nickel mine located in Tamarack in Aitkin County. The proposed mine is located just 1.3 miles from the homes of Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe community members at Round Lake, and near cultural sites, including Rice Lake and Sandy Lake. The surrounding watershed flows into the Mississippi River and St. Croix watersheds, putting critical downstream drinking water sources and natural habitats at risk.
Talon submitted the project’s Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) to the Minnesota DNR on June 21. The Band has completed a thorough review of the EAW and shared the initial feedback, questions, and concerns. “We are learning more information about the project and the more we learn, the more concerned we become,” said Commissioner Applegate. The Band has participated in some early conversations in which Talon has shared general information and claims that they can mine safely.
But to date, Talon has yet to provide data or specific project plans that show this type of mining can be done “without great risk to Minnesota’s natural resources and watersheds, and our way of life,” Applegate said.
Talon’s original plans included a processing plant on site at the Tamarack location. In October 2022, Talon announced plans to move the nickel processing from the Tamarack area to North Dakota. According to the Associated Press, Todd Malan, a Talon executive, said relocating the battery-minerals processing plant to North Dakota means the company would need permits only for the underground mine and rail-loading surface operations in Minnesota. “It is our belief that the Band’s efforts have contributed to the change in location of the processing plant. This move acknowledges the risks that this proposed mine poses to the community and land,” Applegate said.
“Our concerns don’t end on our Reservation. Our concerns are to Aki — the Earth,” Applegate said.
There is still a risk that tailings and dust from the mine will damage the water at or near the mining site, in addition to the bodies of water and environments on the route from the mine to the processing facility. Mining is an incredibly invasive process that uses large amounts of water in both mining and processing. Dust from tailings could fall off the trucks or train cars while being transported, which may occur over saturated wetlands. Talon has not provided the public with details on how this will be done safely.
The pristine wetlands, that some people refer to as swamp land, are re-chargers for the water. “We don’t call anything a swamp. The pristine wetlands are a sacred area that cleans the water so that we can drink it,” Applegate said. “This is what the Creator gave us all.” The proposed mine is in close proximity to the sacred wetlands.
The wetlands produce clean water for the deer and other animals, to grow manoomin, and to grow birch and maple trees. The McGregor marsh hosts several species of birds that do not occur anyplace else; there is an area near Palisade that attracts birders by the thousands just to see a glimpse of the different species, such as owl, chickadees, sharptailed grouse, black-backed woodpeckers, and other rare features of the area. These important wetlands are in close proximity to the proposed mine.
The Band has been heavily involved in the assessment process of the EAW review being done by the state DNR. “The Band is very forthcoming in demanding the state procedures involve the Band early on, that we are not notified after the fact, but that we want to be at the table when they are making the decisions and reviewing the information as they are getting it,” Applegate said.
Talon’s website claims they have had meaningful consultations with the Mille Lacs Band. However, Applegate said there has only been information shared from Talon to the Band trying to explain how the mine would operate “safely.” Applegate is not convinced, and would like to see the data that supports their claims. “We are not for sale,” he said.
The data according to the federal EPA states that nickel mining is the most toxic mining in the industry. The track record globally for mining sites is that they always lead to pollution of water and land. Yet Talon continues to claim, without showing proof of data, that their process is different and can be done safely with little risk of pollution.
How much pollution is safe for the environment?
“No amount of pollution is acceptable to us!” Applegate said.
That area is so unique and intrinsically woven together with the base of the land and the water. The water is essential to the area. The ecosystem of the area is so delicate that even the slightest change in hydrology could upset the balance and destroy cultural assets such as manoomin, plants and medicines, and birds. “If that is destroyed or augmented, it could all be gone. It would be devastating,” Applegate said. What can you do? Check out the Water Over Nickel website at waterovernickel.com and follow them on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. “Share. Share. Share,” said Applegate. “Help us spread the word to educate people about protecting our water resources.”