TAMARACK MINE SNAPSHOT: WHERE ARE WE NOW?
By Kelly Applegate, Commissioner of Natural Resources
Mine permitting is not a fast or straightforward process. Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe leaders, including the Water Over Nickel team, are monitoring the evolving future of the proposed Tamarack Nickel mine from Talon metals. 2025 has already brought changes related to regulatory reviews, ongoing discussions with the Department of Natural Resources and shifting demand for nickel as a critical mineral for renewable energy efforts. Throughout all this change, the Mille Lacs Band’s dedication to protecting clean water is unchanging.
Talon Metals and the Minnesota DNR conversations
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe leaders are actively engaged in discussions with Talon Metals and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Band’s participation ensures conversations remain focused on Indigenous concerns and the importance of protecting clean water. These meetings are an opportunity for Band leaders to demand transparency and understand specific details around water usage and impact.
The Minnesota DNR is currently reviewing the third round of comments on the environmental assessment worksheet for the proposed Tamarack Mine. This assessment helps evaluate the mine’s potential environmental impact. The public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the assessment focus areas during a public comment period, estimated for early 2026.
Shifting Trends in EV Battery Production
Talon Metals is positioning its mine as a solution to rising demand for electric vehicle batteries, which have previously used critical minerals like nickel. However, electric vehicle brands are shifting towards alternate battery formulations, which could impact the demand for nickel. Major manufacturers, including Tesla, are shifting toward lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries instead of traditional nickel- and cobalt-based alternatives.
LFP batteries are gaining traction for several reasons:
• They use iron instead of nickel and cobalt, reducing costs by approximately 20%.
• They last two to three times longer than nickel/cobalt batteries, according to the International Energy Agency.
• Their chemical composition makes them less prone to catching fire, improving safety.
• They have a smaller environmental footprint compared to nickel/cobalt-based batteries.
• As automakers continue to adopt LFP battery technology, the long-term demand for nickel could shift, raising questions about the need to permit nickel mining operations like the Tamarack mine.
Amplifying Water Over Nickel’s Message
The Water Over Nickel team continues to raise awareness about the importance of protecting clean water and the Tamarack Mine’s potential risks, through educational speaking events, including presenting in an environmental class at Fort Lewis College, and preparing for our next round of campaign ads for the summer of 2025.
We’ve also shared Water Over Nickel’s message in conversations with local and national media outlets such as Prism Reports’ coverage, where Commissioner Applegate reinforced the broader significance of clean water protection:
Kelly Applegate: “Clean water is our priority and should be for whoever occupies the White House. We don’t just do this for the Mille Lacs Band; we do it for everyone who depends on clean water. It’s part of human life globally.”
What’s Next
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources public comment period for the proposed Tamarack Mine is anticipat ed to take place in early 2026. We must encourage Minneso tans to raise their voices and share their concerns about the risks associated with the proposed mine. Our work leading up to the public comment period will focus on educating and in spiring Minnesotans to speak up and help protect our state’s environment and water.
We encourage Band members to get involved by:
• Signing up to be a Water Ambassador volunteer, by emailing waterovernickel@gmail.com.
• Following Water Over Nickel on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Visiting WaterOverNickel.com to learn more about protecting Minnesota’s clean water and signing up for updates.
