Last October, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposed to withdraw 225,000 acres of federally owned land and minerals in northeast Minnesota from future mining leasing and potential development.

This action launched an environmental assessment around the proposal. In late June, the draft environmental assessment was released and launched a 30-day comment period for public input on the draft assessment.

This action jeopardizes the future of statewide benefits from Minnesota’s mining industry, ignores established regulatory and environmental review processes, and will have a devastating impact on the creation of thousands of jobs in northeast Minnesota and the region’s communities, economy and mining industry. Specifically, the withdrawal now covers both copper-nickel and taconite mining in the draft.

If you support job creation and the future of mining in Minnesota, take action now!

Make your voice heard by providing public comments to the U.S. Forest Service through one of three ways by August 12, 2022:

1. Electronic comments are preferred through the project website at https://go.usa.gov/​xuH43.
2. Comments may also be sent electronically to comments-eastern-superior@usda.gov.
3. Written comments may be sent to Forest Headquarters, 8901 Grand Avenue Place, Duluth, MN 55808.

Please use (copy and paste) the below sample message as your comment’s starting point, amend as you see fit by the deadline – Friday, August, 12, 2022:

Subject: Rainy River Withdrawal Application Draft EA Comment

I oppose the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management recommending a withdrawal of lands and minerals in northeast Minnesota from future leasing and potential development. The draft Environmental Assessment (EA) does not meet the rigor of the full Environmental Impact Statement and permitting processes that are required by law for proposed mining projects to thoroughly examine the details of a mine proposal. The EA also does not take into account any of the science or data from the Twin Metals Minnesota project proposal – submitted in 2019 – that took more than 10 years of hydro-geological and environmental studies, engineering, community engagement and design.

If enacted, the withdrawal will cause the state of Minnesota to lose thousands of potential jobs that would result from future mining projects, billions of dollars in future investment in northeast Minnesota, and billions in potential revenues from mining that support the state’s K-12 education system through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ School Trust Fund.

The targeted federal lands are in an area of historic mining activity where mining is currently allowed and encouraged by federal and state law. The withdrawal would provide no additional environmental protections than those that currently exist under state and federal law.

The Environmental Assessment is acting on a false presumption that any mining will pollute the Rainy River Watershed, basing these assumptions on studies with no credibility or applicability to our region. The only way to properly assess whether mining can occur safely is by thoroughly reviewing specific project proposals, as the nature of a project’s geology, environmental, and socioeconomic factors vary widely depending on where the project is located and its design. This clearly pre-determined draft EA doesn’t evaluate all the data available to determine if mining can be done safely.

The proposed withdrawal will also shut out a significant domestic source of critical minerals needed to combat the climate crisis – minerals that the U.S. is currently reliant on unpredictable and unstable foreign sources.

I urge the U.S. Forest Service reject this draft EA and its devastating impact on the future well-being of Minnesota citizens and communities.

St. Paul, Minn. (July 20, 2022) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement following today’s announcement that PolyMet Mining and Teck Resources entered a joint venture agreement to develop the NorthMet project and further study the Mesaba opportunity. The joint venture will be named NewRange Copper Nickel LLC:

“This joint venture is very exciting news for northeast Minnesota and supporters of responsible domestic mineral production. NewRange Copper Nickel represents a vote of confidence by two premier global mining companies that Minnesota is the place to safely and responsibly mine domestically for clean energy minerals. 

“The joint venture announced today builds upon the Iron Range’s mining legacy and provides a new sustainable mining opportunity for generations to come. It also brings Minnesota another step closer to answering the global climate, humanitarian and geopolitical challenges related to sourcing the clean energy minerals the world needs.

“Jobs for Minnesotans looks forward to both the legacy PolyMet NorthMet project regaining its last remaining permits and beginning construction soon, as well as the further investment in the Mesaba deposit which could bring even more family-sustaining jobs to the region while also protecting the environment.”

About Jobs for Minnesotans

Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 members and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.

###

After 10+ years of environmental review, research and testing, PolyMet has proved it can operate while protecting the environment. PolyMet has earned the permits it needs to begin construction and open the mine. Unfortunately, well-funded project opponents have continuously challenged the permits and the science behind them.

PolyMet and the agencies have prevailed in every instance. The courts have ruled on the project’s side time after time. Now, PolyMet’s wetlands permit has been called into question, and the company needs our voices of support. 

SPEAK UP FOR POLYMET – PARTICIPATE IN A VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING

• WHAT: U.S Army Corps of Engineers public hearing on PolyMet’s 404 water permit
• WHEN: May 5, 2022 – 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• LEARN MORE: Here

There will also be an opportunity to submit your comment in writing for a period of time after the hearing. Learn more here: www.SupportPolyMet.com.

St. Paul, Minn. (March 31, 2022) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement following today’s announcement from the White House that President Biden will invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA) to secure American production of critical minerals in order to bolster the country’s clean energy economy and reduce reliance on China and other countries:

“Jobs for Minnesotans is pleased with President Biden’s announcement today. This is a step in the right direction to bring the sourcing and processing of these minerals home, which will have a positive impact on national security, global environmental protections and investment and jobs in our country. This action proves that domestic mining must be part of the solution to securing mineral supply and achieving carbon emission reduction goals.

“We hope this change in policy is reflected in all aspects of securing the supply chain for these critical minerals. While this action encourages investment in our country, we cannot build more electric vehicles, solar or wind farms without a transparent, predictable and timely regulatory process for proposed mining projects.

“Northeast Minnesota holds the vast majority of U.S. reserves for cobalt, nickel and platinum group metals, with a strong mining heritage and union workforce. We strongly urge the President and his administration to also rescind the mineral withdrawal proposal in the Superior National Forest currently under review, and reinstate Twin Metals Minnesota’s valid mineral leases. As prime examples in Minnesota alone, both of these recent actions are contradictory to the DPA announced today.  

“President Biden detailed the DPA will be authorized to support the production and processing of minerals and materials used for large capacity batteries–such as nickel, cobalt —minerals needed for green energy technologies and found in northeast Minnesota. The Department of Defense will implement this authority using its environmental, labor, community, and tribal consultation standards, which are the strongest in the world.”

About Jobs for Minnesotans

Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 members and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.

###

Media Contact: Brian Hanson, Board Chair
brian@apexgetsbusiness.com
218.730.7330

St. Paul, Minn. (January 26, 2022) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the Bureau of Land Management announcement they are canceling Twin Metals Minnesota’s mineral leases renewed in 2019:

“Jobs for Minnesotans is outraged by the Biden Administration’s politically motivated action today to cancel Twin Metals Minnesota’s mineral leases. This action is the latest in a series of recent attacks on the future accessibility of critical minerals and on the people of northeast Minnesota who have proudly and responsibly developed natural resources for generations. This administration is playing political football with the future long-term prosperity of an entire region and putting its own climate change strategy at risk.

“If the administration was at all interested in evaluating the science behind the ability to mine safely in this region, they would proceed with reviewing the Twin Metals mine proposal that’s been sitting on their desk for 2 years before arbitrarily canceling its leases. 

“This action ignores the rigorous science-based environmental review process outlined in law. They know the environmental review process will prove this project can mine safely, so instead of advancing the process, they’re trying everything possible to circumvent science and stop the project to appease political campaigns acting as environmental groups opposing mining in Minnesota.

“You cannot combat the climate crisis through green energy technologies like electric vehicles, solar panels or windmills without the minerals that are located in northeast Minnesota. We as a country cannot continue to shut out an industry in one breath and then expect to have the ability to make this critical clean energy transition in another.”

About Jobs for Minnesotans

Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 members and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.

###

Media Contact: Brian Hanson, Board Chair
brian@apexgetsbusiness.com
218.730.7330

St. Paul, Minn. (January 24, 2022) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement following today’s news the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled in PolyMet and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) favor in six of the seven issues that were challenged:

“Jobs for Minnesotans is pleased with today’s ruling by the Minnesota Court of Appeals regarding the PolyMet NorthMet project’s water discharge permit. We appreciate the Court’s strong affirmation that the MPCA permit for PolyMet is protective of Minnesota’s waters. The extensive scientific record of the project prevailed yet again and the environmental review process was upheld.

“It’s now time to move PolyMet forward. On the one issue remanded back to the MPCA, which arose from a U.S. Supreme Court precedent-setting ruling made more than a year after the permit was issued, we encourage the agency to move quickly to address the matters identified by the Court.

“Mining opponents are running out of legal challenges and appeal options for the PolyMet project. Every Court decision that has so far reached final conclusion has been in PolyMet’s favor. The scientific record for the project has proved that we can both mine these metals safely and protect the environment.

“This is another positive step forward and we encourage all supporters to remain strong and hopeful as we look forward to the construction of this project. This ruling moves the state’s first copper-nickel-precious metal mine one big step closer to reality and Minnesota one step closer as a major U.S. supplier of critical minerals needed to meet aggressive U.S. carbon reduction goals.”

About Jobs for Minnesotans

Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 members and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.

###

Media Contact: Brian Hanson, Board Chair
brian@apexgetsbusiness.com
218.730.7330

St. Paul, Minn. (December 20, 2021) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement following today’s news the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) released its revised finding on PolyMet’s air emissions permit and determined it will remain in effect:

“Jobs for Minnesotans celebrates the reactivation of the PolyMet NorthMet project’s MPCA air permit. The extensive scientific record of the project prevailed yet again. Today’s news moves the state’s first copper-nickel-precious metal mine one big step closer to reality and Minnesota one step closer as a major U.S. supplier of critical minerals needed to meet aggressive U.S. carbon reduction goals. 

“We look forward to the day coming soon when well-paid, skilled Minnesota workers are building this important project and Minnesota miners are filling current gaps in the supply chain for these minerals. The U.S. and global demand for copper, nickel, cobalt and other critical metals is exponentially increasing due to the need build solar arrays, wind farms, energy storage, electric vehicle batteries and other climate change solutions. Now more than ever, it is critical we secure the ability to safely mine these metals domestically, where these projects are held to the highest environmental and labor standards in the world.”

About Jobs for Minnesotans

Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 members and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.

###

Media Contact: Brian Hanson, Board Chair
brian@apexgetsbusiness.com
218.730.7330

Two federal agencies have taken politically motivated actions that jeopardize the future of statewide benefits from Minnesota’s mining industry and ignore established regulatory and environmental review processes. These actions will have a devastating impact on the creation of thousands of jobs in northeast Minnesota and the region’s communities, economy and mining industry.

Recently, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced a proposal to withdraw 225,000 acres of federally owned land and minerals in northeast Minnesota from future leasing, exploration and potential development. At risk is the potential for thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in wages, regional economic investment and revenues for Minnesota schools. On October 21, 2021, the USFS formally started a 90-day public comment period to gather public input on the proposed request for withdrawal.

If you support job creation and the future of mining in Minnesota, take action now!

Make your voice heard by providing public comments to the federal agencies. Email your comment and register to participate in one of three virtual public meetings – space is limited, register ASAP:

• Wednesday, January 12, 2022, 1 to 4 p.m. CST – Register here
• Saturday, January 15, 2022, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST – Register here
• Tuesday, January 18, 2022, 5 to 8 p.m. CST – Register here

Public comments should be directed to the USFS and BLM at  BLM_ES_Lands@blm.gov or mail to: F. David Radford, Deputy State Director of Geospatial Services, BLM Eastern States Office, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia 22041.

Please use (copy and paste) the below sample message as your comment’s starting point, amend as you see fit:

Subject: Superior National Forest Withdrawal Application

I oppose the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management taking any action to pursue the withdrawal of lands and minerals in northeast Minnesota from future leasing, exploration and potential development. This action ignores the established and rigorous environmental review process for mining projects.

If enacted, the withdrawal proposal will cause the state of Minnesota to lose thousands of potential jobs that would result from future mining projects, billions of dollars in future investment in northeast Minnesota, and billions in potential revenues supporting the state’s K-12 education system.

The targeted federal lands are in an area of historic mining activity where mining is currently allowed and encouraged by federal and state law. The withdrawal would provide no additional environmental protections than those that currently exist under state and federal law and established environmental standards including the National Environmental Policy Act.

The proposed withdrawal will also shut out the domestic source of raw minerals needed to combat the climate crisis. Minerals that the U.S. is currently reliant on foreign sources.

I urge the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to reject this decision and its devastating impact on the future well-being of Minnesota citizens and communities.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been ordered by the Court to review the state’s nonferrous mining rule and is accepting public comment on the matter through December 8, 2021.

The DNR is being ambushed through mining opponent lawsuits that are attempting to disrupt environmental review processes for mining projects in Minnesota. This attempt threatens the ability for any business to proceed through a predictable and fair regulatory process and is an attack on future economic development opportunities in our state.

It’s critical the DNR hears from you that the siting rule and the comprehensive environmental protections in state and federal law is adequate and that a ban on mining is not necessary.

Make your voice heard by submitting a comment through the DNR’s online form (recommended) or via mail to the below address:

MN Department of Natural Resources
ATTN: Nonferrous Mine Siting Rule
500 Lafayette Road N, Box 45
St. Paul, MN 55155-4045

Please use (copy and paste) the below sample message as your comment’s starting point, amend as you see fit:

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources:

I am writing in support of upholding the current non-ferrous mining rules in place in Minnesota, because these rules are designed to strongly protect our environment and ensure any new proposed mining project meets the stringent standards in place before it can be permitted. I support upholding the current non-ferrous rules for the following reasons.

• The challenge to DNR rules is not supported by science or facts. Challengers are attempting to stop short the environmental review process with studies that lack credibility and provide hypothetical descriptions of what nonferrous mining projects might look like in Minnesota.
• DNR should determine that it can depend on a broad range of environmental review and regulatory tools to assess the specifics of a mining proposal and ensure that it is regulated to the fullest extent necessary to protect the BWCAW.
• The purpose of the DNR’s nonferrous mining rule is not to either prohibit nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed or grant blanket permission for mining to begin. Federal and state environmental laws, rules, and regulations require the successful completion of extensive review and permitting processes for mining operations to begin.
• The rules are designed to act as a framework within which specific permit requirements are to be developed to address the unique issues anticipated to exist at each individual mine site, and they are meant to adapt to mining developments as they evolve, and technologies improve.
• The state of Minnesota has already taken the necessary actions to protect the BWCAW through a long history of federal and state actions that strictly govern mining activity.
• Mining in Minnesota has for more than 130 years coexisted with the wilderness and supported the economic stability of our state.
• Every new mining project deserves to be evaluated individually and specific to their site, design and geology.
• The Minnesota courts already rejected a challenge to these same rules in 2019.

I strongly support the DNR upholding the validity of the current non-ferrous mining rules, because the rules and the stringent regulatory review process in place are designed to adequately protect our environment, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Leaders call for support of a predictable, fair, and thorough regulatory process for mining projects that will create thousands of jobs and help secure U.S. domestic supply chains to combat the climate crisis

St. Paul, Minn. (October 21, 2021) – Next week, Minnesota labor, business and community leaders will travel to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the future economic prosperity of northeast Minnesota. State Representative Dave Lislegard (DFL-06B) of Aurora, Minn. will be joined by Ida Rukavina, executive director of the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS); Brian Hanson, chair of Jobs for Minnesotans; and Jason George of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 49.

The trip follows yesterday’s action by the Biden Administration to bar future mineral exploration, leases and development permits on approximately 225,000 acres of federally owned land in northeast Minnesota.

“Decision makers in D.C. need to hear from voices of those most affected by the future of mining in Minnesota – those who live and work here on the Iron Range,” said State Rep. Lislegard. “We have safely and responsibly mined in the region for more than 135 years, and we will continue to do so with non-ferrous projects. We now have the opportunity to make Minnesota a global leader in sourcing the minerals needed to combat the climate crisis.”

Northeast Minnesota is home to the world’s largest known undeveloped deposit of copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum group metals. The deposit contains approximately 95 percent of the known U.S. nickel reserves, 88 percent of U.S. cobalt reserves, 75 percent of U.S. platinum group metals supply and about a third of the U.S. copper supply. These are minerals needed for clean energy technologies like electric batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, etc.

“We live here and work here. Our future depends on minerals and mining and we have an obligation to make sure that minerals are mined the right way,” said Ida Rukavina of RAMS. “This decision by the Administration creates uncertainty for our mining companies, limiting job creation on the Iron Range and investment in our communities.”

The current Superior National Forest Plan, citing previous environmental studies and Congressional directive, includes mineral development as a “Desired Condition” within the Superior National Forest. The Forest Service has also stated that generic, or programmatic environmental reviews like the proposed mineral withdrawal study, are ineffective.

“We simply ask for mining projects to be treated fairly like any other industry doing business in this country and not be politicized,” said Brian Hanson of Jobs for Minnesotans. “Mining projects should be evaluated individually and be specific to their site, design and geology.”

Safely mining these metals here, domestically aligns with President Biden’s Build Back Better initiative, Infrastructure Plan, American Jobs plan and the executive order to better secure the supply chain of these critical minerals. It is paramount for the U.S. to have access to a secure, domestic source of these metals. Relying on foreign countries for critical minerals threatens U.S. economic security and our leadership in technology and innovation.

“As our nation shifts towards investment in wind, solar and electric vehicles, these minerals are required to make that transition and we are currently incredibly reliant on foreign sources,” said Jason George of the IUOE Local 49. “Continued dependency on foreign nations will only further exacerbate human rights and environmental justice issues. We can mine responsibly here while protecting workers and the environment.”

The demand for these minerals is increasing at an alarming rate. According to the World Bank, mining more than 3 billion tons of minerals and metals the world needs by 2050 is seen as the only path to limiting global warming by 2°C or less.

About Jobs for Minnesotans

Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 70,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 members and 500,000 employees.

About Range Association of Municipalities and Schools

Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS) represents more than 78,000 residents and 57 public sector units of government, including 27 cities, 16 public school districts and 14 townships, in the 13,000 square mile Taconite Assistance Area (TAA) of northeast Minnesota. As an organization, RAMS has represented the interests of the Iron Range region for over 80 years.

About IUOE Local 49

IUOE Local 49 represents more than 14,000 members across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota in many different facets of the construction industry. We represent heavy equipment operators/mechanics and stationary engineers that work in building, road, highway and bridge construction; housing development; river dredging and port work; oil and natural gas pipeline construction and maintenance; mining; logging; wind and solar construction/maintenance; coal, nuclear, natural gas power plants; drilling; and several other industries. Our members are the most highly skilled workers in all the industries that they work in. We are active, we are mobilized, and we stand together.

###