Trump administration opens up Minnesota wilderness area to copper mining

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

ENVIRONMENT MAY 15, 2019 / 1:40 PM / UPDATED 3 HOURS AGO

Trump administration opens up Minnesota wilderness area to copper mining

Valerie Volcovici
3 MIN READ

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Interior Department on Wednesday renewed two mineral leases near the Boundary Waters Wilderness area in Minnesota, a key step in opening the popular wilderness and recreation area up to copper mining despite heavy opposition from local and national conservation groups.

The department’s Bureau of Land Management granted the hardrock mineral leases inside the Superior National Forest to Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, a subsidiary of Chile’s Antofagasta, with the aim of expanding domestic mining of “critical minerals” used in common appliances and products, saying it is beneficial to national security because it reduces foreign imports.

“Mining strategic metals in the United States is beneficial to national security, national and local economies, and job creation,” the Interior Department’s assistant secretary Joe Balash said in a statement.

Twin Metals must now submit a formal mine plan of operation to the BLM, which will then analyze its potential environmental impacts.

The announcement riled conservation groups, who said the Trump administration conducted an insufficient environmental review process leading up to its approval.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-interior-copper/trump-administration-opens-up-minnesota-wilderness-area-to-copper-mining-idUSKCN1SL2C5

[in2herbs]

1. "... who said the Trump administration conducted an issufficient environmental review ..."

I am shocked! Trump is such a fair and environmental president. ITMF now.

[Wellstone ruled]

2. Yupper,got to say,

Good Luck with that one. So we start dumping the Toxic waste into Lake Superior once again. Never forget the days of MinTac and their secret dumping.

[lunasun]

3. More MAGA

More than 1,300 miles of cold water streams and 950 miles of warm water streams flow within the boundaries of the Superior.

https://images.app.goo.gl/m6RSnd9RZDfwKGGk8

I donated and signed a petition last fall to try to stop this but sad news
https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org
More info at that link

It said in Reuter’s link that most of the comments received by BLM were against the mining

Also backs a reservation at the border . Indigenous impacted again would be no surprise