The proposed Tamarack Mine site sits within the Mississippi River and St. Croix River watersheds, putting drinking water, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and surrounding communities at risk.

Nickel mining has a long history of harming water-rich environments. When sulfide-bearing rock is exposed to air and water during mining, it can create sulfuric acid — the same chemical found in battery acid. This process, known as acid mine drainage, can contaminate surface water, groundwater, wetlands, and aquatic ecosystems for generations.

Every glass of water drawn downstream, every walleye caught in Lake Mille Lacs, every harvest of Manoomin from Sandy Lake, and every community connected to the Mississippi River depends on decisions made today about projects like Tamarack.

KEY FACTS

• More than 99% of Earth’s water is unusable, and only about 0.3% of freshwater exists in lakes, rivers, and swamps (National Geographic, 2025).

• The EPA identifies metal mining as the most toxic industry in America, and abandoned hardrock mines have already contaminated 40% of U.S. rivers and 50% of lakes (EPA, 2023).

• Studies show nickel mining can contaminate nearby rivers and groundwater, especially in water-rich regions like Minnesota (Journal of Health Science & Pharmacy, 2025).

• 90% of the Tamarack ore body lies beneath wetlands, peat bogs, and lakes, and experts warn mine runoff could remain a threat for 500–1,000 years (Friends of the Mississippi River, 2025).

• Acid mine drainage can spread heavy metals and pollution across entire watersheds, causing long-term environmental damage and costly cleanup efforts (American Geosciences Institute; Discovery Alert, 2025).

The proposed Tamarack Mine is located within the ceded territory of the Treaty of 1855, and just 1.3 miles from Round Lake and the homes of Mille Lacs Band community members. These lands and waters are environmentally, culturally, and spiritually. The Mille Lacs Reservation and Sandy Lake Reservation were established in these locations because of access to sacred waters, fisheries, Manoomin, and natural resources that continue to sustain Ojibwe communities today.

Mining activity so close to tribal lands and cultural sites threatens treaty-protected resources, traditional harvesting practices, and the ability of future generations to fully practice their culture.

The proposed mine also reflects a broader national pattern, as many of the minerals targeted for the energy transition are located near Indigenous communities that often have limited authority over surrounding ancestral lands. Water Over Nickel supports a future that respects tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and Indigenous stewardship of natural resources.

K‍EY FACTS ‍

• The proposed mine sits within the Mississippi River and St. Croix River watersheds and near culturally significant sites, including Rice Lake and Sandy Lake, putting waters, ecosystems, and communities far beyond the mine site at risk.

• 85% say clean water is part of Minnesota’s identity (Minnesota Water Outlook Survey, 2025).

• 95% of Minnesotans believe we must protect water for future generations (Minnesota Water Outlook Survey, 2025).

• 97% of nickel deposits in the U.S. are located within 35 miles of Native American reservations (MSCI, 2021).

• Many mining projects occur on ancestral lands where tribes maintain cultural connections but have limited control over development decisions.‍

Protecting clean water and advancing clean energy do not have to be opposing goals. Nickel is currently used in some electric vehicle batteries, but mining is not the only way to meet future demand. Recycling existing metals and advancing new battery technologies can reduce the need for environmentally risky mining projects like Tamarack.

Battery technology is changing rapidly. Many manufacturers are shifting toward lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which reduce or eliminate the need for nickel and cobalt. These batteries are often less expensive, longer lasting, and have a smaller environmental footprint.

At the same time, the U.S. still loses large amounts of reusable metal waste to landfills each year. Expanding recycling infrastructure could significantly reduce the need for new mining while supporting a cleaner energy future. Minnesota has an opportunity to lead with innovation — investing in solutions that protect both clean water and future generations.

KEY FACTS

• ‍A successful scale-up of recycling can lower the need for new mining activity by 25‑40% by 2050 (IEA, 2025).

• Recycled energy transition minerals, such as nickel, produce 80% less greenhouse gas emissions than mining (IEA, 2025).

• New battery designs, like lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP), can deliver safe, affordable power without using nickel or cobalt, so many cars and storage systems no longer rely on these higher‑risk metals (ScienceDirect, 2024)

• LFP batteries are typically cheaper, longer lasting, and less flammable than nickel-cobalt batteries.

  ‍ ‍