The Minnesota DNR has approved a plan by Franconia Minerals, a Twin Metals Minnesota subsidiary, to drill for metallic minerals near Birch Lake, about nine miles south of Ely. The approval allows 19 exploratory drill sites along the shoreline and beneath the lake, which drains into the BWCA—prompting concerns about pollution risks to the protected watershed.
Cinematographer Alex Horner captures the wild beauty of watersheds near the proposed Twin Metals mine, just south of the Boundary Waters. His short films document what could be lost if copper-nickel mining reshapes one of Minnesota’s most pristine regions.
Multiple environmental groups traveled to Washington D.C., recently for the latest appeal by Twin Metals Minnesota. The Chilean-owned mining company has been seeking to reinstate two mineral leases near the BWCAW and other critical watersheds. The company appealed to a panel of judges, aiming to reinstate two preferential rights applications that would allow the company to build a mine south of Ely.
Twin Metals, the company seeking to operate a copper-nickel mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, has appealed a recent federal court decision that blocked its mine proposal from proceeding. U.S. District Court judge Christopher Cooper dismissed a Twin Metals lawsuit in September, a decision the subsidiary of Chilean conglomerate Antofagasta PLC is now seeking to overturn.
Despite lawsuits, Twin Metals pursues copper-nickel mine near the South Kawishiwi River in northeastern MN. Mining project threatens popular lake in BWCAW watershed.
Federal court rejects attempt to overturn cancellation of 57-year-old licenses to extract public resources.
Biden administration revokes Twin Metals mineral rights for proposed copper-nickel mine. Secretary Deb Haaland stated: “After a careful legal review, we found the leases were improperly renewed in violation of applicable statutes and regulations, and we are taking action to cancel them.”
Government attorneys, engineers, and scientists hit the brakes on both proposed mines in Minnesota’s northwoods.
New rounds of correspondence between DNR and mining company tries to nail down details needed for environmental review.
Environmental groups have added a new complaint to their lawsuit about how the federal government decided to renew mineral leases for Twin Metals. The groups say representatives exerted “undue influence” on Forest Service personnel.
Rep. McCollum pushes to prohibit action on mining upstream of the Boundary Waters. A bill to provide funding to the Department of the Interior in the next fiscal year would cover everything from the National Park Service to the Environmental Protection Agency…
Relationship between foreign mining company and Trump administration officials revealed in government files.
State responds to first environmental review submission with long list of questions and concerns.
Numerous groups argue that federal government failed to follow law when issuing controversial leases to search for minerals on public land.
Major blow to wilderness protection comes as judge rules in favor of reversal, restoring leases to company seeking to mine at edge of Boundary Waters.
Proposed copper-nickel mine on the edge of the Boundary Waters is official after company submits first plans and other documents to regulators.
Biggest newspaper in the state says the risks are too great for copper-nickel mining near waters that flow into the wilderness area.
DNR announces it will analyze the project on its own rather than in partnership with the federal government, unlike the PolyMet process.
In-depth report from ‘Almanac’ features interviews with Ely residents holding diverse perspectives on the Twin Metals proposal and what it might mean for the Boundary Waters.
Company announces change in plans to avoid using traditional, less safe waste storage technique that nearby PolyMet proposal will use. Some environmental groups have promoted dry stacking but questions remain.