Mineland Reclamation in Minnesota
Historical Highlights
1866 – 1892
Iron ore discovered and
exploration begins.
1892
Iron ore shipment Mt Iron 4,245 tons
1953
Largest annual iron ore shipment
75,953,215 tons.
1964
Taconite Amendment to the MN
Constitution passed, opening door to
large scale expansion.
1969
Mineland reclamation law passed.
1977
Law passed giving IRRRB
responsibility for pre-law mineland
reclamation.
1964 MN Constitution Amendment
An act proposing an amendment to the constitution
of the state of Minnesota by adding there to a new
article prohibiting the amendment, modification, or
repeal for a period of 25 years of Laws of Minnesota
1963, Chapter 81, relating to the taxation of taconite
and semi-taconite, and facilities for the mining,
production and, beneficiation thereof; and to taxes
imposed upon or required to be, paid with respect to
the mining, production or beneficiation of copper,
copper-nickel, and nickel in this state.
1969 Reclamation Law
Peat added in 1983
• 93.44 DECLARATION OF POLICY.
• In recognition of the effects of mining upon the environment, it is
hereby declared to be the policy of this state to provide for the
reclamation of certain lands hereafter subjected to the mining of
metallic minerals or peat where such reclamation is necessary, both in
the interest of the general welfare and as an exercise of the police
power of the state, to control possible adverse environmental effects
of mining, to preserve the natural resources, and to encourage the
planning of future land utilization, while at the same time promoting
the orderly development of mining, the encouragement of good
mining practices, and the recognition and identification of the
beneficial aspects of mining.
• History:
• 1969 c 774 s 1; 1983 c 270 s 1
• 298.223 TACONITE AREA ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION FUND.
• A fund called the taconite environmental protection fund is created for the
purpose of reclaiming, restoring and enhancing those areas of northeast
Minnesota located within the taconite assistance area defined in section
273.1341, that are adversely affected by the environmentally damaging
operations involved in mining taconite and iron ore and producing iron ore
concentrate and for the purpose of promoting the economic development
of northeast Minnesota. The taconite environmental protection fund shall
be used for the following purposes:
• (2) reclamation, restoration, or reforestation of mine lands not otherwise
provided for by state law;
So----------How do we do it?
Reclamation of Abandoned
Minelands in Minnesota
The IRRRB video “Growing with
Change” was shown at this point.
For information on the video,
contact Dan Jordan and his contact
information is on the last slide.
THANK YOU
QUESTIONS or COMMENTS
Daniel R. Jordan
Mining & Reclamation
Programs Supervisor
Iron Range Resources and
Rehabilitation Board
1003 Discovery Drive
Chisholm, MN 55719
218 274-7007
FAX (218) 274-7002
Dan.Jordan@state.mn.us