Twin Metals copper-nickel mine plans firming up

Twin Metals Minnesota says the mining projects it's planning would keep the company in business for more than a century.

Bob McFarlin, vice president of public and governmental affairs for Twin Metals, tells the Mesabi Daily News no final decisions have been made, but some details are firm enough to discuss.

The company has identified some sites in the Ely and Babbitt areas for its first copper-nickel-precious metals operation. McFarlin says they would develop an underground mine in what's known as the Maturi deposit near Ely. The mine access and other facilities are being considered for a site near the Ely airport. The operation would draw water from an old iron mine known as the Dunka Pit.

He says it's difficult to predict when the mine might start up.

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