The 2024 report (pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2024/mcs2024-nickel.pdf) from the USGS (US Geological Survey) points out that the US only possesses 0.26% of the worldwide reserves of nickel. The proposed Tamarack Mine will make NO difference in nickel markets or supply chains but will only serve to increase profits for Rio Tinto, a large foreign mining company. Should we not preservr our limited reserves for the future?
Unlike the iron mined on the Minnesota Iron Range, minerals near Tamarack are found as high sulfide deposits (a mixture of sulphur and other minerals). These sulfide ores contain metals (such as nickel, copper and cobalt) that are bonded to sulfur, forming sulfide minerals. When these ores are exposed to air and moisture, a chemical reaction occurs that generates sulfuric acid that migrates into the surrounding environment and, through leaching, releases heavy metals present in the waste rock, pit walls, and tailings basins of mining operations. The sulfuric acid along with dissolved heavy metals released onto the land can seep into the rich aquifers of the area and then into streams and lakes at levels that are toxic to fish and other aquatic life. This type of pollution is commonly referred to as Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) and has the potential to devastate entire ecosystems. The close proximity of sulfide mines to valued water bodies such as lakes and rivers of the Mississippi watershed intensifies the magnitude of this issue. All of the water bodies in the water rich Tamarack area are linked by multiple aquifers.
So you might ask, why do we permit sulfide mining in water rich areas? Talon Metals asserts that the nickel is needed for EV batteries to drive the world wide effort to convert our energy economy toward a fully sustainable model.
However, is nickel really needed for EV batteries in the 2030 timeframe when Talon might expect to be producing nickel from the Talon mine? Actually no … read on.
Electric Vehicles (EVs) are the current rage in the transportation sector; and for good reason. The new electric motors that power an EV can be more than 90% efficient as compared to gas vehicles which today have efficiencies in 20-30% range. Electric motors are also simpler with fewer parts and lower maintenance costs. Wear and tear on the brakes is also minimized since braking energy can be directed to recharging the batteries rather than be lost as heat. And there's no gasoline to buy. You can charge your EV while you sleep right at your home. EVs are more efficient in both cost and energy and as such are the right direction to take going forward. The fly in the EV "ointment" is that EV's need affordable, energy dense batteries. Currently, there is no battery technology that can match the energy density of fossil fuels. But hope is on the way.
New battery chemistries that do not use expensive nickel or cobalt are quickly taking over the market. In addition, new battery chemistries being tested today will obsolete the old style, nickel/cobalt based Lithium-Ion batteries. These chemistries includ Lithium Ferrous Phosphate, Lithium Manganese Ferrous Phosphate, Lithium Sulfur and Sodium based batteries. More details can be found at tamarackwateralliance.org/evs.html
Talon argues publicly that its better to mine in Minnesota than to support foreign mine operations that pollute and utilize child labor. But wait … operations in Indonesia are not the responsibility of the people in Minnesota. If anything, the mining industry itself (Talon and their partners) need to be addressing this issue as a global industry. Its the mining industry that are employing these immoral tactics. This is much more a mining industry (Talon and partners) problem than something that can be placed on the people of Minnesota to solve.
Indeed, if anyone was serious about addressing these foreign mining concerns and their production of nickel and cobalt, they would embrace the new battery chemistries that don't use these minerals. What better way to address irresponsible mining operations than to stop the use of the minerals they produce as much as possible. And of course, this is the direction of the EV auto industry - migrate to new battery chemistries that don't use nickel or cobalt.
Talon Metals points to both the Wisconsin Flambeau mine as well as the Michigan Eagle mine as examples of environmentally successful mines. However, the evidence indicates that both of these mining operations have significantly polluted their respective local areas. See issues with the Flambeau Mine and issues with the Eagle Mine for more information. To date, no sulfide mine has been able to operate without causing some form of pollution in the surrounding environment.