Documents show how mining company behind Twin Metals successfully loosened federal oversight
Relationship between foreign mining company and Trump administration officials revealed in government files.
Mining
DNR rejects initial Twin Metals mine proposal as ‘incomplete’
State responds to first environmental review submission with long list of questions and concerns.
New lawsuit challenges how Twin Metals mineral leases were renewed without review
Numerous groups argue that federal government failed to follow law when issuing controversial leases to search for minerals on public land.
Flashback: A New Yorker tried to mine copper inside the Boundary Waters
George St. Clair’s efforts to exercise mineral rights he had inherited set off battles in the courts, the newspapers, and legislative bodies from St. Paul to Washington, D.C.
Minnesota court rejects air permit for proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine
Judges order state to consider if PolyMet actually plans a much larger mine than the company told regulators when applying for an air pollution permit.
Federal court upholds Twin Metals mineral leases
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.
Northern Minnesota mining reports from Trump administration met with criticism
Government agencies release confidential and redacted documents that fail to satisfy wilderness advocates who requested them.
Tribal group supports legislation to prevent mining near Boundary Waters
Coalition of Ojibwe bands calls on Congress to pass legislation blocking copper-nickel mines in the wilderness watershed.
DNR and PolyMet appeal order to conduct judicial review of controversial copper mine permits
State and mining company ask Supreme Court to review decision by Court of Appeals that requires a contested case hearing to consider facts affecting permits in front of a judge.
House committee holds hearing on McCollum bill to block mining in wilderness watershed
Members of Congress questioned witnesses who testified about the Boundary Waters, the economy, and past decisions to protect northeastern Minnesota’s lakes and rivers.
PolyMet water permit court proceedings examine actions by regulators
Witnesses and additional evidence were examined after the Court of Appeals ordered a hearing into how state and federal officials worked together to convey concerns over mining pollution.
New legislation in Congress would prohibit mining in Boundary Waters watershed
Bill introduced today by Rep. Betty McCollum seeks to stop any and all copper-nickel mining activity in parts of the Superior National Forest where water flows into the wilderness.
Minnesota court throws out key PolyMet permits in win for environmental interests
Court of Appeals finds that the DNR was wrong to deny a hearing over the mining and dam safety permits for proposed copper-nickel project in northeastern Minnesota.
Federal legislation requires report on mining threat to international waters
Rep. McCollum includes funding for State Department to study effects on shared border waters, from proposed copper-nickel mining upstream in the Superior National Forest.
Twin Metals submits mine proposal for state and federal review
Proposed copper-nickel mine on the edge of the Boundary Waters is official after company submits first plans and other documents to regulators.
“Not this mine. Not this location.” – Star Tribune editorial calls for halt to Twin Metals
Biggest newspaper in the state says the risks are too great for copper-nickel mining near waters that flow into the wilderness area.
Minnesota will conduct own environmental review of Twin Metals mine proposal
DNR announces it will analyze the project on its own rather than in partnership with the federal government, unlike the PolyMet process.
Wilderness water and mining woes focus of mini-documentary
Revealing new report on the debate over Twin Metals mine proposal, features opinions in Ely and potential impacts on the Superior National Forest.
PolyMet opponents take case that mine permits are flawed to Court of Appeals
Hearing in St. Paul hosted arguments about numerous contested components of three permits issued to the company by the Department of Natural Resources.
What’s at stake with Twin Metals? Diving into Ely’s mining debate
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.