Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Jon Collins
ST. PAUL, Minn.

Cliffs fined for excessive hazardous waste

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. has agreed to pay a $242,973 penalty for excessive use of a hazardous waste at a landfill operated by Northshore Mining in Silver Bay.

The fine stems from incidents in the spring and summer of 2011 when a "corrosive hazardous waste leachate" was used to control dust at a nearby landfill at higher quantities than state permits allowed. Northshore Mining also delivered 38,900 gallons of leachate to a wastewater treatment plant in mid-July. The company failed to report that they had exceeded their permits until Sept. 9, 2011.

The settlement signals the company's willingness to improve handling of leachate at the landfill, said Sandy Karnowski, Cliffs district manager of public affairs in Minnesota.

"Northshore Mining was very responsive in the things they did after the situation," Karnowski said. "We changed some of our operating strategies. We installed technology as needed and we provided some training for our employees to ensure that this situation doesn't repeat itself."

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said in a statement that the company had already completed five requirements of the settlement relating to leachate management and pH reduction, and that two requirements remained to be completed by December 2012.

Cliffs' Northshore Mining operation in Silver Bay has previously run into trouble with regulators. As recently as February, the company agreed to pay $240,175 for air quality violations at its taconite plant.

Under the environmental agreement, the company also agreed to spend $50,000 to renovate a hazardous waste collection facility operated by the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District.