Minnesota bill prohibits nonferrous mining in Rainy River headwaters if sulfate levels increase, with penalties.

Minnesota bill HF5159 prohibits nonferrous mining in the Rainy River headwaters if sulfate levels increase in surface water or groundwater. The commissioner of natural resources must order permittees to suspend operations and assess a civil penalty of $500,000,000. The permittee can resume operations only after demonstrating that the sulfate increase has been remedied and future operations will not increase sulfate levels. The permittee must also cover all costs of third-party water-quality monitoring.

Minnesota bill prohibits nonferrous mining in Rainy River headwaters if sulfate levels increase, with penalties.

Minnesota bill HF5159 prohibits nonferrous mining in the Rainy River headwaters if sulfate levels increase in surface water or groundwater. The commissioner of natural resources must order permittees to suspend operations and assess a civil penalty of $500,000,000. The permittee can resume operations only after demonstrating that the sulfate increase has been remedied and future operations will not increase sulfate levels. The permittee must also cover all costs of third-party water-quality monitoring.