Twin Metals sues Biden administration regarding proposed copper-nickel mine near Ely
Twin Metals logo. Credit: WDIO-TV
A company that had proposed a copper-nickel mine in northern Minnesota has announced it is filing a lawsuit against the Biden administration to reclaim its federal mineral leases.
According to Hubbard-owned affiliate WDIO-TV, the lawsuit moves to “reclaim its federal mineral leases and reverse a series of arbitrary and capricious actions by federal agencies aimed at preventing the development of its modern mining project in northern Minnesota.”
The lawsuit has to do with the administration’s decision to cancel the company’s mineral leases earlier this year for the proposed underground mine that was planned for the Ely area.
RELATED: Biden cancels lease renewals for proposed Minnesota mine
The administration also restarted the process of withdrawing more than 200,000 acres of land from mineral exploration and development.
As previously reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, those leases were initially granted by the Interior Department in 2019, under the Trump administration.
Becky Rom, the national chairperson of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, released the following statement:
“The Biden administration’s actions to protect the Boundary Waters were well-considered, consistent with legal precedent and established public policy, and reflect the will of Minnesotans and the American people. This lawsuit is destined to fail.”