Feds reverse mineral lease decisions, endorse plan for domestic mining - BusinessNorth.com

Twin Metals Minnesota, which hopes to develop an underground copper/nickel/precious minerals mine near Ely, has regained access to long-held exploration leases withdrawn in 2016 by the federal government.

“Twin Metals is pleased with today’s action by the U.S. Department of the Interior to reaffirm Twin Metals’ right to renewal of federal mineral leases held in Northeast Minnesota for more than 50 years,” the company said Friday in a prepared statement. “The decision is an important first step to ensure the certainty of investments in U.S. mining projects and to reaffirm long-standing property rights and the rule of law.”

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management cancelled those leases in a December 2016 decision during the final days of the Obama administration. It followed environmentalists’ claims that exploration would lead to mining, followed by water pollution. Many in the mining industry felt the 2016 decision had political overtones, and Twin Metals filed a legal challenge. The company dismissed its federal lawsuit Friday.

“Twin Metals looks forward to working with the agencies through the proper process of renewing the company’s leases,” the company said.

In its Friday decision, the Interior Department said the original 1966 mineral leases provide Twin Metals with a non-discretionary right to a third renewal.

“Accordingly, the BLM does not have the discretion to deny the renewal application,” the Office of Solicitor wrote.

Jobs for Minnesotans - a coalition representing business, labor and communities – lauded the decision. In a press release, the group said “The new opinion reopens the process for reviewing the renewal applications and is thus a positive step for advocates of fair process for economic development and job creation in Northern Minnesota.”

The decision came one day after President Donald Trump issued an executive order encouraging domestic mineral exploration.

"Right now the United States is almost completely reliant on foreign adversaries and competitors for many of the minerals that are deemed critical for our national and economic security. As both a former military commander and geologist, I know the risk this presents to our nation," Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said Thursday.

"I commend Secretary Zinke for his work to support our miners, streamline the permitting and review process, and enhance our national defense with this important order today," Minnesota GOP Congressman Tom Emmer said in a prepared statement. "Minnesota, like so many states across this great nation, is fully prepared to step up and help unleash America’s full mining potential which will improve national security, add jobs, bring economic prosperity and enhance the lives of every American. Additionally, our current environmental regulations ensure that we can secure critical minerals like copper and aluminum, while protecting our nation’s vast, beautiful landscape. I am glad that this administration agrees sound economic, environmental, and security policy can and should coexist."

Zinke issued a secretarial order to promote domestic exploration and mining. Its has several components:

• He directed the United States Geological Survey to identify new sources of critical minerals and ensure miners and producers have electronic access to the most advanced topographic, geologic, and geophysical data, with appropriate limitations to protect critical infrastructure data such as those related to national security areas.
• He directed the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Geological Survey to provide a list of minerals defined as "critical minerals" to the Secretary of the Interior. Within 30 days, the secretary will coordinate with the Department of Defense and consult with the heads of other relevant agencies and departments to establish a list.
• Within 60 days of the completion of the critical minerals list, the agency will provide Zinke a plan to improve the topographic, geological, and geophysical mapping of the United States, and make the resulting data and metadata electronically accessible to support private sector mineral exploration of critical minerals.
• Within 60 days of the signing of the Executive Order, each bureau head with land management responsibilities must submit a list of recommendations to streamline permitting and review processes related to developing leases, accessing critical mineral resources, and increasing critical mineral discovery, production, and domestic refining.
• They also must submit a list of recommended options for improving access and developing critical minerals.