Answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about the Birch Lake Project…

• What is the Birch Lake Project?
• Where is the Birch Lake Project?
• Who is behind the Project?
• If this is underground mining, what will be the surface impact compared with open pit mining?
• Will this be “sulfide” mining and will it create the problems encountered by some “sulfide” mines elsewhere?
• Is there a danger of acid rock drainage into the Lake or Boundary Waters?
• Why do we need to mine these minerals?
• Will the communities and other interested groups be involved in the Project?
• How will the Project benefit the communities?
• What has to happen before the mine can be built?

 

What is the Birch Lake Project?

The Birch Lake Project is a proposed underground mining project that would extract and process copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum group metals (PGMs) from two locations four miles apart. One deposit, near Bob Bay on Birch Lake, lies below the lake and lands to the south, approximately 1600’ – 2500’ below the surface. It is about a mile east of the northeastern end of the Iron Range. The second deposit, known as Maturi, is also below the land surface, and lies about four miles northeast.

Where is the Birch Lake Project?

The two deposits are about 230 miles north of the Twin Cities, just east of Babbitt, near the western border of the Superior National Forest on a combination of state, private and federal lands.  Drainage from the area flows into a 13-mile long man-made reservoir, Birch Lake and then into the North and South Kawishiwi Rivers, which eventually feed into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Who is behind the Project?

Franconia Minerals is an exploration company currently drilling and carrying out engineering, processing and environmental studies to investigate the project’s feasibility.  Brian Gavin, a certified professional geologist with 24 years experience, heads the Company and one of its directors, Ernie Lehmann has been a Minnesota resident and active in the state’s mineral industry for 50 years, and in the Birch Lake project for 22 years. 

If this is underground mining, what will be the surface impact compared with open pit mining?

The Birch Lake reservoir covers 7000 acres; in contrast, the surface facilities at each mine site should be less than 5 acres.  A processing plant in the area will occupy about 30 acres and another up to 600 acres maybe required for surface tailings impoundments.  In the vicinity of the southern deposit, under and near Bob Bay on Birch Lake, there is no nearby development and since the large-scale operations are underground, surface impacts will be limited.  At the Maturi site, surface impact will be similarly limited and steps will be taken to mitigate impact on nearby developments.   

Will this be “sulfide” mining and will it create the problems encountered by some “sulfide” mines elsewhere?

Technically this is sulfide mining since the copper, nickel and platinum occur as metallic sulfide minerals.  However, geologically, these are sulf ur deficient ores and therefore the sulfide levels are low. Technology for treating these ores has evolved so that virtually all the sulfide minerals are removed during processing (since they carry the valuable minerals) and potential for environmental threats is controlled.         

Is there a danger of acid rock drainage into the Lake or Boundary Waters?

Franconia will minimize the possibility of acid mine drainage leaving the site.  About half of the waste rock and tailings, which will have sulfur levels about that of everyday rock, will be stored underground, to provide structural strength in mined out sections of the mines.  The balance will be placed in a surface facility engineered to collect and treat, as required, water from the facility. On closure, the facility will be capped to minimize exposure to air and water, both of which must be present for acid mine drainage to occur.

Why do we need to mine these minerals?

Copper, nickel, cobalt and the platinum group metals (PGMs) are essential to our way of life and used by everyone who turns on a light, eats breakfast, drives a car or happens to fall ill. Some are critical to national security.  Currently, the US depends heavily on foreign countries for these metals, just as it does for oil.

Will the communities and other interested groups be involved in the Project?

Everyone who has an interest in the Project is welcome to ask questions or comment.  Franconia welcomes public involvement from all communities, environmental groups and individuals.  Through this website, information repositories, and meetings and seminars, Franconia will provide accurate, timely updates.

How will the Project benefit the communities?

Once operational, both mines together will bring approximately 550 long-term, high-paying jobs, plus as many ancillary and construction jobs, to Iron Range communities.  The Project will also generate millions of dollars of tax benefits to the local communities and the state.  In addition, royalties will benefit the State School Trust Fund, local communities and the Superior Forest.

What has to happen before the mine can be built?

Before a new mining facility can be constructed, it must obtain a significant number of permits, principally a permit to mine issued by the Department of Natural Resources. Other permits relate to water, air, waste, and health and safety and involve other state agencies such as the Pollution Control Agency and the Department of Health.  Before these permits can be issued, the DNR must prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.  Both in the initial scoping of major permits and of the EIS, expected to take place in late 2007 and the first half of 2008, there are opportunities for public input through written and oral comments.  Franconia’s expectation is that the EIS may be completed in 2010 and the permits can then be issued.  During the EIS and permitting process, Franconia will develop a final feasibility study before a construction decision can be made.