U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) earlier this week commended action by U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management Joe Balash to renew two Twin Metals Minnesota LLC-held hardrock mineral leases.
The renewed licenses, signed by Balash on May 15, allow for copper, nickel and palladium mining to continue in the Superior National Forest in Northeastern Minnesota.
“Following the Interior’s announcement, I am pleased that the Trump administration acknowledges that we can responsibly develop our state’s resources, bringing jobs back to this region while preserving the forests, lakes and streams that all Minnesotans hold dear,” Rep. Emmer said after attending the signing event.
Assistant Secretary Balash said that mining on public lands balances conservation strategies and federal policies with the production of needed minerals, which provide raw materials used in manufacturing medical aids, automobiles, smartphones, computers and household appliances.
“Under President Trump’s leadership and direction from the secretary, this action may reduce the vulnerability to disruption of critical mineral supplies if it leads to the development and production of critical minerals in an environmentally responsible, regulatory-consistent, and economically feasible manner,” said Balash on Wednesday. “Mining strategic metals in the United States is beneficial to national security, national and local economies, and job creation.”
In September 2018, the Trump Administration reversed former President Barack Obama’s proposed withdrawal of more than 200,000 acres of federal land with a prohibition on development, potentially instating a 20-year ban on industry activity.
“Our state and local economies deserve to prosper and we can ensure that, while also protecting Minnesota’s beauty for future generations,” said Rep. Emmer. “When it comes to protecting the environment and developing our economic assets, nobody does it better than Minnesota.”
According to the Bureau of Land Management, if and when Twin Metals Minnesota LLC submits a formal Mine Plan of Operation, the bureau would prepare a detailed Environmental Impact Statement to thoroughly analyze potential environmental impacts from the proposed mine.