Talon Tamarack EIS Scoping Comments

This page provides resources for comments on the Scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet (SEAW) and Draft Scoping Decision Document (DSDD) for the proposed Tamarack Mining Project located near the city of Tamarack, Aitkin County, Minnesota.

Abreviated List of Concerns

There are no accurate and vetted estimates for the amount of contact water that will be pumped from the mine. Estimates from Talon Metals have been as high as 2.3 million gallons per day but it could be much higher.
Impacts of contact water pumping from the mine on aquifers, surface and wetland water levels, and residential well levels in the area are unknown and must be studied.
Long term impacts (e.g. after mine closure) of contaminated mine water migrating into aquifers, from the disturbed underground mining activity are unknown.
Impacts of water discharge on the surface given that cold winter conditions will freeze the low flow downstream water-ways used for discharge causing local flooding into the area,
Impacts on wild rice from the release of sulfates (both airborne and from water).
Impacts of methylmercury contamination on fish creating fish consumption limits and compromising human health as well as the health of animals that consume fish.
Impact of vented dust and gases on the environment (only filtered to reduce particulate matter) must be evaluated and mitigated.
Impact of the lack of surface liners for ore and rock storage areas - a best practice for high sulfide mining operations - on long term soil contamination and migration into surrounding areas must be evaluated.
Impact on building foundations and structures due to underground blasting that may occur 2-3 times daily for well over 10 years.
Impact of rail transport dust leakage and mitigation when wet ore freezes in the train cars along the route to North Dakota or Michigan.
Impact on roads due to the transport of large amounts of gravel needed in mine operations to backfill mined out areas.
There is no plan for dealing with hazardous waste from the project.
The project will destroy many acres of wetlands.
Impact of “one time” environmental events such as floods and high winds on planned environmental mitigations need to be studied and evaluated.
Impacts on the St. Louis River Estuary if Talon decides to ship ore via boat from the Duluth-Superior harbor given that large high sulfide storage areas will be required near the docks.
Decrease of property values and the recreational economy in the area due to mine operations and associated pollution.
Impact of light pollution in an otherwise "dark sky" environment.

Other Resources

Visit the "Dangers of Sulfide Mining" page on our website. (tamarackwateralliance.org/dangers.html)

Visit the "Mine Concerns" page on our website. (tamarackwateralliance.org/mine.html)

Download the Latest Mine Concerns Presentation: tamarackwateralliance.org/docs/TamarackMineConcerns-Consolidated.pdf

Dangers of Sulfide Mining:

1 page PDF flyer (tamarackwateralliance.org/docs/SulfideMining.pdf)
Full Presentation (tamarackwateralliance.org/docs/TWA-Dangers-Sulfide-Mining-CC.pdf)

Download the 2 page summary handout: tamarackwateralliance.org/docs/Scoping.pdf