Northshore Mining will pay the $240,175 fine for air quality violations as penalty to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for the transgressions which occurred at its taconite processing plant in Silver Bay.
The air quality violations include emissions of excessive amounts of very fine dust which is unhealthy to breathe. The dust was measured in excessive amounts in the plant as well as in the Silver Bay Marina. The excessive particulate matter found was smaller than 10 microns in width which is one fourth the diameter of human hair. PM 10 sized dust is used a health standard by the government to determine the levels of exposure that are harmful to human health.
The mining company will also ensure that it takes steps to stop future violations. This will include emission control improvements at the large taconite pellet storage yard which is located at the plant on Lake Superior. It will also increase the use of water cannons and sprays to control dust during the transferring and stockpiling of taconite pellets.
More chemical dust suppressants will also be used during pellet screening and in the truck dump area. Another $79,825 will be spent by Northshore Mining to upgrade the MPCA’s old air quality monitoring network in the state of Minnesota. This will involve replacing old MPCA ambient air monitors with seven new continuously operating monitors as well.