Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Vice Chair Pete Stauber (MN-08), and Vice Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04) issued the following statements in response to the Biden Administration’s action to revoke existing mineral leases for the Twin Metals mine in Minnesota’s Superior National Forest:
 
“The Biden Administration is yet again talking out of both sides of its mouth, and their actions demonstrate just how disingenuous their words are when it comes to securing our nation’s domestic mineral supply. On one hand, they want to pursue a clean energy future, relying on renewable energy resources and pushing the manufacturing of electric vehicles. On the other hand, they continue to stifle domestic development of the very minerals we need to achieve these clean energy goals, making us reliant on countries with unacceptable labor and environmental standards,” said Chairman Newhouse. “The Twin Metals mine would unleash the untapped potential of the Duluth Complex to provide a stable domestic supply of critical minerals, create thousands of good-paying union jobs, and strengthen future economic development for the region. Instead, the Administration continues to make us reliant on countries like China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo by giving in to political extremists who clearly don’t have an understanding of the energy security, national defense, or environmental implications of shutting down safe, responsible development of minerals here at home. I hope the Biden Administration is satisfied supporting countries with massive human rights and environmental violations instead of supporting opportunities in the United States. My friend and colleague who represents the families, workers, and businesses in Minnesota’s Iron Range, Rep. Pete Stauber, has been a staunch advocate for Minnesota mining, and I will continue to wholeheartedly support his efforts to ensure this action is reversed.”
 
“The Biden Administration’s announcement today canceling these long-standing mineral leases will have devastating impacts on northern Minnesota and our nation. Let me be clear: President Biden is choosing to ban mining. He’s choosing foreign sourced minerals, including mines that use child slave labor, over our own domestic, union workforce that follows the best labor and environmental standards in the world. The Biden Administration doesn’t have a plan for mineral independence. On one hand, they want massive taxpayer investments in electric vehicles, and on the other, they refuse to allow domestic mineral production as demand continues to skyrocket. Instead, this Administration has decided to leave American, blue-collar workers behind and bow to pressure from radicals who prefer to rely on foreign adversarial nations for these minerals,” said Vice Chair Stauber, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. “I saw this coming from day one, which is why I was vocal in my opposition to Secretary Haaland’s nomination as Interior Secretary, as well as the Director of Bureau of Land Management, Tracy Stone-Manning. Joe Biden chose a cabinet full of the most extreme anti-mining activists. I choose to fight for our northern Minnesota miners.”
 
"Today’s decision by the Department of the Interior to cancel Twin Metals’ leases highlights the pure hypocrisy of the Biden Administration. While President Biden continues to advocate for a buildout of renewable energy sources, his administration is simultaneously killing the kinds of projects that will provide the resources needed for renewable energy infrastructure. This disastrous decision increases our reliance on foreign adversaries like China in order to achieve Biden's goal of electrifying America. The Department's decision is wrong – wrong for Minnesotans and wrong for America. We will not stop fighting for what is right," said Vice Chair Westerman, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee.
 
Earlier this month, the Congressional Western Caucus and House Natural Resources Republicans hosted a joint forum to highlight the economic, national defense, and energy security benefits of mining in northern Minnesota and the development of the Twin Metals mine. Click here to learn more.
 
The forum came ahead of a Congressional Western Caucus field tour in February to the Duluth Complex hosted by Vice Chair Stauber, where Members will witness the benefits of Minnesota mining firsthand.
 
Background:
 
In October 2021, the Biden Administration requested a 20-year mineral withdrawal within the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota, triggering a two-year pause on new federal mining permits and leases in the area. The action mirrors the Obama-Biden Administration’s 2016 action to initiate a mineral withdrawal in northern Minnesota.
 
Northern Minnesota is home to the world’s largest known undeveloped copper-nickel deposit. In January 2021, Rep. Stauber introduced the Saving America’s Mines Act to prevent the executive branch from eliminating mining jobs and economic activity in rural communities.
 
The Twin Metals mine would tap into mineral resources like copper that are necessary for U.S. manufacturing, and the project would create roughly 750 direct full-time jobs and 1,500 indirect jobs. The project continues to undergo robust regulatory reviews and environmental permits.