Twin Metals

To accommodate an increased level of exploration and core sampling, Twin Metals Minnesota moved its field operations office into a larger structure in Ely's Miner's Drive Business Park in August 2011. The facility serves as the company's headquarters and as a storage area for drill cores. Being mindful of the history of mining in Ely, corrugated-looking galvanized siding in the front was used with the intent to pay tribute to the remaining buildings in the Pioneer Mine area. The tower on the east end of the building emulates the head frame shape and various members of the periodic table, copper, nickel, cobalt, platinum, palladium, gold and silver clad in copper are focal points of the entrance.

The building was built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. Energy-efficient design aspects include in-floor hot water heat and the solar panels planned to provide 15 percent of the heating needs in the wintertime.

The new 8,800 sf building is a substantial step forward, replacing a home and three-car garage that has accommodated about 13 permanent employees and 37 contract workers. The space provides office and meeting space for field employees and contractors near the company's nonferrous mineral deposits. In addition, approximately a quarter of the space is set aside for storing and logging core samples.

For this project, ARI was responsible for site layout, conceptual and final project design, construction documents, bidding administration, and construction administration.