Biden Administration Withdraws Thousands Of Acres Near BWCA From Mineral Leasing

(Duluth, MN) — Environmental and sportspeople groups in Minnesota are applauding the Biden administration’s decision to withdraw nearly a quarter million acres adjacent to the B-W-C-A Wilderness from mineral leasing.  U-S Interior Secretary Deb Haaland says it’s key to the health of the watershed and wildlife, tribal treaty responsibilities, and the local recreation economy.  The long-stalled Twin Metals mine is planned for that area near Ely. Spokeswoman Kathy Graul says the company is “deeply disappointed and stunned” by the decision — and the region has “one of the world’s largest deposits of critical minerals that are vital in meeting our nation’s goals to transition to a clean energy future, to create American jobs, to strengthen our national security and to bolster domestic supply chains.”