Northshore Mining Fined for Wastewater Permit Violations
Summary
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has fined Northshore Mining $19,000 for repeated violations of its wastewater permit. The company released recycled water and water related to mining processes unpermitted multiple times between 2023 and 2025. Northshore Mining must also submit a spill prevention report and implement a piping integrity plan.
What changed
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued a $19,000 fine to Northshore Mining for repeated violations of its wastewater permit. The violations, occurring between 2023 and 2025, involved 11 unpermitted releases of recycled water and mining process water, with one release exceeding 400,000 gallons. These actions constitute a violation of Minnesota environmental rules and the company's specific permit.
In addition to the financial penalty, Northshore Mining is required to submit a spill prevention report detailing actions taken to prevent future unauthorized spills due to equipment failure. The company must also replace 8,000 feet of pipeline by the end of 2026 and implement a piping integrity plan. These actions are necessary to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and prevent future pollution incidents.
What to do next
- Submit a spill prevention report detailing actions taken to prevent unauthorized spills from equipment failure.
- Replace 8,000 feet of pipeline between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026.
- Implement a piping integrity plan.
Penalties
$19,000 fine
Source document (simplified)
News release
March 18, 2026
Contact
MPCA communications, news.mpca@state.mn.us
Northshore Mining fined $19,000 for wastewater permit violations
Northshore Mining in Silver Bay was fined $19,000 for repeated violations of its wastewater permit and Minnesota environmental rules. A Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) investigation found that from 2023-2025, Northshore Mining released recycled water to the ground seven times and water relating to mining processes four times. Doing so is not permitted, according to its wastewater permit. Its largest unpermitted release was nearly 400,000 gallons of recycled water. Northshore Mining reported that a small amount of recycled water may have reached the Beaver River. Northshore Mining has documented equipment failure as the reason for the 11 releases.
In addition to the monetary penalty, the MPCA requires Northshore Mining to:
- submit a spill prevention report that details the actions that Northshore Mining has taken to prevent unauthorized spills resulting from equipment failure
- replace 8,000 feet of pipeline that were the source of most releases, between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2026
- implement a piping integrity plan The MPCA remains committed to protecting human health and the environment by enforcing rules and regulations and limiting pollution and discharges from facilities. When facilities do not fully comply with regulatory requirements, the resulting pollution can be harmful to people and the environment.
When calculating penalties, the MPCA considers how seriously the violations affected or could have affected the environment, and whether they were first-time or repeat violations. The agency also attempts to recover the economic benefit the company gained by failing to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner.
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