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mining

Forest Service says copper-nickel mining threatens Boundary Waters

September 4, 2023June 23, 2022 by Greg Seitz

“The environmental assessment released today provides a strong scientific foundation for a 20-year ban on copper mining near the Boundary Waters…”

St. Louis River in Jay Cooke State Park. (Brett Whaley/Flickr)

EPA says PolyMet permit threatens waters with mercury pollution

July 27, 2024May 11, 2022 by Greg Seitz

Federal agency declares mine would cause pollution unacceptable to Fond du Lac Band.

Wilderness advocate to run 110 miles across Boundary Waters for clean water awareness

May 22, 2021 by Greg Seitz

“Where else can you run 100 miles and not have to carry water with you? That clean water is worth protecting.”

EPA identifies Minnesota wild rice waters affected by mine waste, sets up legal battle

May 9, 2021May 8, 2021 by Greg Seitz

Federal agency overrules state’s efforts to ignore sulfate pollution.

New lawsuit challenges how Twin Metals mineral leases were renewed without review

May 6, 2020May 6, 2020 by Greg Seitz

Numerous groups argue that federal government failed to follow law when issuing controversial leases to search for minerals on public land.

Clean Water Act rollback could make it difficult to protect BWCAW water from mining pollution

April 27, 2020April 27, 2020 by Greg Seitz

Proposal from federal government could block MN from protecting lakes and rivers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Flashback: A New Yorker tried to mine copper inside the Boundary Waters

February 17, 2021April 8, 2020 by Greg Seitz

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.

Federal court upholds Twin Metals mineral leases

April 22, 2020March 19, 2020 by Greg Seitz

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

April 22, 2020March 4, 2020 by Greg Seitz

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

April 23, 2020February 24, 2020 by Greg Seitz

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

April 22, 2020February 14, 2020 by Greg Seitz

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

April 23, 2020February 6, 2020 by Greg Seitz

Members of Congress questioned witnesses who testified about the Boundary Waters, the economy, and past decisions to protect northeastern Minnesota’s lakes and rivers.

New legislation in Congress would prohibit mining in Boundary Waters watershed

April 23, 2020January 15, 2020 by Greg Seitz

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.

Federal legislation requires report on mining threat to international waters

December 29, 2019December 23, 2019 by Greg Seitz

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

December 18, 2019December 18, 2019 by Greg Seitz

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

December 5, 2019November 26, 2019 by Greg Seitz

Biggest newspaper in the state says the risks are too great for copper-nickel mining near waters that flow into the wilderness area.

Twin Metals headquarters in Ely.

Minnesota will conduct own environmental review of Twin Metals mine proposal

December 5, 2019November 24, 2019 by Greg Seitz

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

November 22, 2019November 15, 2019 by Greg Seitz

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

October 25, 2019October 25, 2019 by Greg Seitz

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

October 2, 2019October 1, 2019 by Greg Seitz

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.

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Supporting the protection of the Minnesota-Ontario border region and Superior National Forest including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Quetico Provincial Park, Voyageurs National Park, La Verendrye Provincial Park, Isle Royale National Park, and Lake Superior. Published by the Quetico Superior Foundation Since 1964. More About Us >
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Quetico Superior Wilderness News is published, in part, with a contribution from the Andrews-Hunt Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation.
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Supporting the Protection of the Minnesota-Ontario border region and Superior National Forest including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Quetico Provincial Park, Voyageurs National Park, La Verendrye Provincial Park, Isle Royale National Park, and Lake Superior. More About Us >