Regional partners seek grants for Iron Range Mine of the Future

The Duluth-based Natural Resources Research Institute is advancing a proposal to develop a Mine of the Future proving ground at the NRRI Coleraine Minerals Processing Laboratory on Minnesota’s Iron Range, backed by a $2,000,000 state grant intended to leverage U.S. Department of Energy support toward a project cost of up to $40,000,000. Businessnorth reported the $2 million grant “has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation,” while the Mesabi Tribune cited an Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation board meeting packet and noted the eight-member board was set to meet at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at its headquarters south of Eveleth to consider the grant and other projects.

The proposal frames Coleraine as one of four national mining-focused proving grounds if developed, with NRRI describing the opportunity as a way to boost iron ore research and to expand capabilities in critical minerals including rare earth elements, transition metals, platinum group metals and battery minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt and graphite. Businessnorth quoted NRRI executive director Rolf Weberg saying, “It's an opportunity to advance our mineral processing capability.” The board meeting packet described the plan as, “In essence, this is supercharging mining research as an economic driver and sector in northeastern Minnesota and positioning Minnesota as a national leader in critical minerals innovation.”

Funding partners listed in the board packet include $1,500,000 in pledged matching funds from industry and a University of Minnesota pledge described as “a similar amount,” which together imply roughly $3,000,000 in nonstate commitments to accompany the $2,000,000. Businessnorth and the board packet both tie the $2,000,000 state commitment to leveraging DOE Mine of the Future—Proving Ground Initiative funds and other sources to reach the up-to-$40,000,000 target.

NRRI’s Coleraine laboratory currently employs 40 people; Weberg told the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Advisory Board that employment “would need to double from 40 to 80” to support the proving ground, adding that additional employees would include researchers, technicians and support personnel. Those staffing projections underline the project’s local economic stakes on the Iron Range and in nearby Duluth.

The Mesabi Tribune noted the Coleraine proving ground “is already receiving financial support” in the board packet, but the sources leave open several procedural questions: Businessnorth reports approval of the $2,000,000 grant while Mesabi Tribune places the item on an upcoming board agenda, and neither source identifies the specific industry partners or provides a DOE application timeline. Businessnorth also recorded parallel Iron Range Resources funding actions, including a separate $5,000,000 grant to Aitkin Independent School District No. 001 that depends on district voters approving a smaller $48,500,000 referendum on April 14 after a failed November 2025 vote.

If federal funding follows, NRRI and regional partners say Coleraine would be positioned to attract long-term federal investment in mining innovation and to anchor expanded research and workforce activity on the Iron Range.