The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has announced that it has halted work on the state’s environmental assessment of the Twin Metals mine, just three weeks after President Joe Bidens administration cancelled two federal mineral leasings near Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Tuesday’s statement from the DNR indicated that staff will be redirected to other high-priority projects.
Twin Metals’ statement states that a pause in environmental review is necessary and appropriate to defend its project and mineral rights in court.
According to the company’s estimates, it has spent approximately $530 million and more over a decade on plans for an underground mine for copper near Ely in Minnesota, just south from the wilderness. The company stated it would challenge the cancellation of the lease.
Because of the potential environmental damage to the wilderness, the Department of the Interior proposes a 20-year moratorium for new mining projects in the area. It covers 350 square miles and is located within the Boundary Waters watershed.
Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters National Chairman Becky Rom also released an statement calling the decision to suspend the reviewing the right one for Minnesota as well as the country.
The statement stated that a Twin Metals mine near the Boundary waters would threaten the unique ecosystem and thousands of jobs that rely on a thriving wilderness.
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