Image: MPCA

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - March 20, 2026

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has fined Northshore Mining in Silver Bay $19,000, following an investigation into repeated wastewater permit violations. According to the MPCA, the investigation revealed a series of unauthorized releases that breached state environmental regulations and the facility's specific permitting. Northshore Mining, which is owned by Cleveland-Cliffs, has attributed the unauthorized releases to equipment failure. 

In addition to the fine, the MPCA is requiring Northshore Mining to replace 8,000 feet of pipeline identified as the primary source of the leaks, implement a formal piping integrity plan, and submit a comprehensive spill prevention report detailing steps taken to avoid future equipment-related failures.

According to the MPCA, an investigation revealed that Northshore Mining experienced 11 unpermitted releases between 2023 and 2025. These incidents included seven instances of recycled water being discharged to the ground and four instances involving water associated with mining processes.

MPCA further explained in a release that the largest of these involved nearly 400,000 gallons of recycled water. While most of the liquid was contained, "Northshore Mining reported that a small amount of recycled water may have reached the Beaver River," the MPCA stated. 

In a released statement, Northshore Mining said that it "acknowledges the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s findings and takes these matters seriously." The company maintains that it has moved quickly to rectify the technical issues that led to the permit violations.

Additionally, the company said that significant progress has already been made on the mandated infrastructure improvements. "Northshore Mining has completed a comprehensive spill prevention plan and has implemented a piping integrity program," the statement read. Regarding the pipeline replacement, the company reported that it is "actively progressing on replacing 8,000 feet of pipeline and have already completed 3,700 feet of the pipeline in 2025."

Northshore Mining stated that the facility is currently in full compliance with its wastewater permit.

Full statement from Northshore Mining: 

"Northshore Mining acknowledges the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s findings and takes these matters seriously. We want to emphasize that we have already taken significant corrective actions to address these incidents. Northshore Mining has completed a comprehensive spill prevention plan and has implemented a piping integrity program. In addition, we are actively progressing on replacing 8,000 feet of pipeline and have already completed 3,700 feet of the pipeline in 2025. Northshore Mining is currently in compliance with its permit."