The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has developed an updated draft air permit for Northshore Mining’s Peter Mitchell Mine in Babbitt. It includes an updated plan that would control fugitive dust and particulate matter leaving the facility. “Fugitive dust” refers to particulate matter that has become airborne by wind or human activities and is not emitted from a stack, chimney, or vent. More information on fugitive dust emissions is available on the MPCA website.
Key updates to the permit also include:
- Adding blasting and contractor activities as sources of fugitive dust and gases.
- A fuel restriction that allows the burning of only propane and natural gas in shop boilers.
- Compliance monitoring requirements that have been added to the fabric filter controlling the mine’s ore crusher.
- Submission of modeling results from Northshore for fine particulate matter.
Comments
To ensure sources of air pollution comply with the Clean Air Act, the MPCA invites public comments on the operating permit for this facility through the SmartComment page. The 30-day comment period started Nov. 15. The MPCA will consider comments as it revises and finalizes the permit.