Press Releases

Today, Chairman Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) and Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) released the following statements after Twin metals Minnesota offered their Mine Plan of Operation:

"Today’s announcement by Twin Metals is a tremendous step forward for Minnesota and America, the submission of the mine plan of operation is an important step to seeing this mine become a reality.  While there is likely years of permitting and environmental review ahead, there is no question that America needs this resource for our future. Just this week lawsuits were filed in US District Court against U.S. tech companies for their dependence on cobalt produced by children in Africa. Some of the most critical metals of our future are copper, platinum group metals and importantly cobalt, Twin Metals will fill that demand with jobs produced by in America, by Americans under the strictest environmental rules on the planet," said Chairman Paul Gosar (AZ-04).

"In northern Minnesota, mining is our past, present, and future. This Mine Plan of Operation represents the future of our mining industry, as our friends and neighbors will target another key section of the Duluth Complex to supply the world’s demand for precious metals. Copper, nickel, and other precious metals found in the Duluth Complex are not just essential to powering the modern world but are also key to unleashing the economic engine in our part of the state. The development of these resources will be done responsibly as our regulations are the strongest in the world and mandate that  this company operates at the highest of environmental and labor standards. We need the jobs and metals this project will provide, so I look forward to seeing our miners meet or exceed every local, state, and federal environmental regulation," said Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08).

"Mining is a way of life for thousands of Minnesotans. With the largest untapped copper-nickel deposit in the world, our state is ready to step up and realize America's full mining potential. More than two years ago, I introduced Minnesota’s Economic Rights (MINER) in the Superior National Forest Act to restore our state’s right to explore and - if environmentally appropriate - mine valuable precious metals. Today, because of the MINER Act and the work of this Administration, the announcement of Twin Metal’s Mine Plan of Operation is the start of another chapter in Minnesota’s rich mining history. Following an extensive environmental review process designed to protect the natural treasures of our state, this project can provide the region with new jobs and economic prosperity for generations to come. Today’s Mine Plan of Operation is the culmination of years of work to fully restore Minnesota's right to explore, and I am pleased that Minnesotans may once again have an ability to showcase to the world what we do best," said Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06).

Background:

In the waning days of the Obama Administration, federal land management agencies took several actions that would decimate local economies, stifle job creation and cause significant harm to K-12 education in North Minnesota. On November 30, 2017, the House passed H.R. 3905, the “Minnesota Economic Rights in the Superior National Forest Act” which was introduced by Rep. Tom Emmer (MN-06) and cosponsored by numerous members of the Western Caucus. It’s primary purpose was to overturn the Obama Administration’s withdrawal in the Superior National Forest and reinstate the two leases that we arbitrarily cancelled. On September 6, 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, announced that is has canceled the application for the Superior National Forest Withdrawal.

Read CBS' story on children mining cobalt HERE.