Essar Steel Tailings Basin, located in Pengilly, Minnesota, is a privately owned earth dam structure designed by Essar Steel to store tailings from mining operations. Completed in 2011, this 200-foot high and 30,600-foot long dam has a storage capacity of 13,770 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1,377 acres. The basin is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and undergoes state inspections, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its safe operation.

The tailings basin, situated in Itasca County near the O'Brien Creek, poses a significant hazard potential with a fair condition assessment as of June 2014. Despite this assessment, the risk management measures, emergency action plans, and inundation maps for the site are not readily available. In the event of an emergency, the lack of updated information on emergency contacts and preparedness raises concerns about the basin's ability to respond effectively. Climate and water resource enthusiasts may find interest in monitoring the ongoing regulatory oversight and potential improvements to enhance the safety and environmental impact of the Essar Steel Tailings Basin.