Feds plan to renew leases for mining project near the Boundary Waters

The federal Bureau of Land Management says it plans to formally renew the mineral rights leases for the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine near Ely.

The bureau said in a statement Thursday that its plans to impose updated stipulations on the leases from the U.S. Forest Service to mitigate risks to water resources and wilderness areas. A public comment period runs through Jan. 22.

The Trump administration in September lifted a roadblock to renewing the leases that was imposed late during the Obama administration, which cited the risks of acid mine drainage to the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Gov. Mark Dayton criticized the move, calling the BWCA “a priceless, irreplaceable environmental asset” that must be protected.

Several environmental groups are suing to end the leases. Becky Rom of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters alleges the bureau is making an unlawful end-run around the earlier decision.

In a statement sent to WTIP on Thursday, Rom said:

“The Trump Administration’s unlawful renewal of toxic mining leases next to the Boundary Waters goes against good science, obvious facts, and basic common sense,” Rom said. “It also goes against the will of Minnesotans, 70% of whom oppose this dangerous mining near the Wilderness. The Trump administration is trying to do an end run around the environmental review process and ram through federal approvals while they still can.”