The NorthMet Estate — Copper-Nickel Mining Upstream of Lake Superior
Near Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes · headwaters of the St. Louis River → Lake Superior · MN-08
Lakefront-adjacent, with a tailings view
Presenting the NorthMet Estate: an open-pit copper-nickel mine proposed near Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes, at the headwaters of the St. Louis River, which flows through the Fond du Lac Reservation and into Lake Superior. The developer, formerly PolyMet, is now NewRange Copper Nickel, a 50–50 joint venture between PolyMet — owned by the Swiss commodities giant Glencore — and Canada’s Teck Resources.
In May 2022, Glencore pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court to foreign bribery and market-manipulation schemes, resolving the charges for more than $1.1 billion. We consider this a strong credit reference.
In June 2023, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers revoked the mine’s Clean Water Act wetlands permit because it could not ensure compliance with the downstream Fond du Lac Band’s water-quality standards, which are stricter than Minnesota’s on mercury to protect fish and wild rice. Agent Stauber’s response: “The Biden Administration continues their assault on northern Minnesota and our way of life.”
In August 2026, NewRange applied again, with a redesigned tailings plan and about 1,100 acres of wetlands affected. Eight months earlier, Agent Stauber voted for the PERMIT Act, which narrows what states and authorized tribes can require in Clean Water Act certifications and limits how long the public has to sue (Roll Call 330).
From revoked to re-listed
| Date | Event | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2022 | Credit check | Glencore pleads guilty to foreign bribery and market-manipulation schemes; resolution exceeds $1.1 billion.U.S. Department of Justice | $1.1B+ |
| June 2023 | Permit revoked | Army Corps revokes the NorthMet Section 404 wetlands permit, finding it could not assure compliance with Fond du Lac water-quality standards. Agent: “assault on northern Minnesota and our way of life.”FOX 9; Northern News Now | Revoked |
| 2023–24 | Rebranded | PolyMet and Teck form NewRange Copper Nickel, a 50–50 joint venture; Glencore then takes full ownership of PolyMet.U.S. EPA; Mesabi Tribune | — |
| Dec 11, 2025 | Zoning change | House passes the PERMIT Act, 221–205, narrowing state and tribal Clean Water Act certifications and limiting lawsuits to 60 days. Agent Stauber votes YEA.Roll Call 330 | YEA |
| Aug 20, 2026 | Re-listed | Army Corps opens comment on NewRange’s new Section 404 application: ~1,100 acres of wetlands, redesigned tailings.KAXE | ~1,100 acres |
| Sept 12, 2026 | Comments closed | Public comment period ends; Minnesota DNR weighs whether more environmental review is required.KAXE | — |
Items the agent would prefer you skip
Seller’s Disclosure Statement
- Why was the first permit revoked?Because the Fond du Lac Band, downstream on the St. Louis River, has federally approved water-quality standards stricter than Minnesota’s, particularly for mercury. The Army Corps concluded the permit could not ensure those standards would be met.
- Who owns the buyer?NewRange is split 50–50 between PolyMet, owned by Glencore, and Teck Resources. Glencore pleaded guilty in 2022 to U.S. bribery and market-manipulation charges.
- What did the agent’s Clean Water Act vote do?The PERMIT Act limits state and tribal water-quality certifications to the discharge itself, gives the public 60 days to sue, and tells courts to generally leave permits in place while agencies fix defects. It passed the House; it has not become law.
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Public records cited in this listing
- U.S. Department of Justice, “Glencore Entered Guilty Pleas to Foreign Bribery and Market Manipulation Schemes” (May 2022)
- FOX 9, Army Corps revokes NewRange permit (June 2023; Stauber quote)
- Northern News Now, “U.S. Army Corps revokes permit for NorthMet Mine” (June 6, 2023)
- U.S. EPA, PolyMet (now NewRange Copper Nickel)
- KAXE, “Comment period opens for wetland permit for NewRange Copper-Nickel” (Aug. 20, 2026)
- House Clerk, Roll Call 330 (Dec. 11, 2025): PERMIT Act, 221-205; Stauber Yea
- Beveridge & Diamond, “House Approves Sweeping Clean Water Act Reforms”