An update from NewRange Copper Nickel on Wednesday. The company announced they are embarking on four key studies, to assess whether new mining technology and sustainability developments can further enhance environmental safeguards for their project.

A new team with global expertise is coming on board. The four study areas include:

1) Tailings storage: The company is looking at a variety of options, including potentially refining the design to use a centerline dam design or possibly relocating storage to nearby unused pits.

2) Water science: The company is reviewing their planned water treatment technologies, with plans to invest $100 million dollars to modernize the previous mining site.

3) Efficient production: The company is studying how to utilize the existing footprint to increase production from 32,000 tons per day to 40,000 tons per day. The project is permitted for 225 million total tons of minerals, but this potential increase per day could shorten the mine life.

4) Carbon reduction: The company is exploring electric ore transport methods.

NewRange has been working on this copper nickel project for years. The mining would take place near Babbitt, and they plan to utilize the former LTV site in Hoyt Lakes for processing.

NewRange is a joint venture made up of Teck Resources and Glencore, holding both the NorthMet and the Mesaba deposit.

Permitting has been tied up in legal battles for years. But only two state ones remain in legal and regulatory process, and one federal has been revoked. But the company plans on reapplying for it. The company said the vast majority of the permits remain active.

The United Steelworkers announced its support for the plan to conduct the series of studies.

“This project and projects like it are a vital part of our nation’s transition to clean energy, and will help to support a domestic supply chain of critical minerals while limiting the impact on the environment,” said USW District 11 representative John Arbogast, who works with thousands of USW members on Minnesota’s Iron Range. “This announcement demonstrates that NewRange, working in partnership with the USW, is determined to improve the project beyond compliance with regards to tailings storage, efficient production, water treatment, and reduction of carbon footprint.” Arbogast said.