Northshore Mining Fined $19,000 for Repeated Wastewater Violations

(KNSI) — A Silver Bay mining company faces a $19,000 state fine after repeatedly dumping wastewater in violation of its environmental permit, including a release that may have reached a northeastern Minnesota river.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency found that Northshore Mining committed 11 unpermitted releases between 2023 and 2025, releasing recycled water to the ground seven times and mining process water four times. The largest single release totaled nearly 400,000 gallons. Northshore Mining acknowledged that a small amount of recycled water may have reached the Beaver River.
The company attributed all 11 releases to equipment failure.

The MPCA is requiring Northshore Mining to do more than pay the fine. The company must replace 8,000 feet of pipeline, identified as the source of most releases, by the end of 2026, submit a spill prevention report detailing steps taken to prevent future unauthorized discharges, and implement a piping integrity plan.

The agency noted the fine reflects both the seriousness of the violations and their repeated nature, and includes recovery of economic benefit the company gained by failing to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner.

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