Polluting Smith Foundry in Minneapolis to Shut Down East Phillips Operations Aug. 15

Minneapolis, MN — A century-old metal foundry in south Minneapolis will close this month, bringing relief to residents after years of pollution concerns. Smith Foundry said it will cease all operations by August 15, abandoning its previous plan to convert the East Phillips foundry into a metal finishing plant. The unexpected move follows a June settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and an $80,000 fine after the EPA found excessive pollutants around the plant (PDF).

Check out our past coverage of the Smith Foundry opposition in the video below.

In a statement, Smith Foundry President Adolfo Quiroga said the EPA rejected their agreement and had no choice but to shut down.

“They (MPCA) are essentially rejecting our agreement with the EPA,” Quiroga continued. “We have no choice but to close the smelter. Unfortunately, it is our employees and their families who will be most affected by this closure, which I deeply regret. I wish we could do more.”

Residents of the East Phillips neighborhood, who have long complained about pollution from the smelter, are celebrating the closure. Jolene Jones, a resident of Little Earth of United Tribes, expressed relief, noting the negative impact on the community and describing the situation as environmental racism, according to the Sahan Journal.

Rachel Thunder, also a resident of East Philips, said it was a significant victory and an example of the power of grassroots activism:

“This victory represents an important step toward urban environmental justice, particularly for the Indigenous community in South Minneapolis, which has long suffered the disproportionate impacts of industrial pollution and environmental racism. The closure of the Smith Smelter is not only a victory for cleaner air and healthier neighborhoods, but also a testament to the power of grassroots activism in combating environmental inequities. It reaffirms our commitment to protecting our land and our health for future generations, and underscores the need for continued vigilance and advocacy in the fight for justice for Indigenous peoples and communities.”

The EPA’s surprise inspection in May 2023 found nine Clean Air Act violations (PDF), with the smelter emitting nearly twice as many particles as allowed between 2018 and 2023. The closure will benefit the predominantly diverse neighborhood, where more than 80% of residents are people of color and 60% speak a language other than English at home.

A daycare across the street from Smith Foundry, Circulo de Amigos Childcare, reports that outdoor learning activities have been limited recently due to low air quality readings from their installed monitoring system. The foundry has been in operation at 1855 E. 28th St. since 1923. About 50 employees melt metal into cast iron components in silica sand molds.

On August 15, 2024, the Climate Justice Committee (CJC) plans to hold a celebration event. In a closing statement, the CJC emphasized the importance of collective action and pledged to continue to address pollution from other smelters in the area, including Northern Iron and St. Paul Brass Foundry, and called for continued engagement in the fight for environmental justice in the Twin Cities.

Across from Smith Foundry on 28th Street, the Roof Depot site has been the focus of another major environmental struggle in East Phillips. Last February, a Native-led occupation occupied the site and a protest march linked the issue to projects like the Atlanta police training complex dubbed “Cop City.” Last March, the city passed an “anti-protest” measure that was seen as a counteraction to the Roof Depot protesters. Bypassing local officials, the state legislature then funded the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute to buy and rebuild the site, which plans a neighborhood community center.

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