St. Paul, Minnesota (Nov. 3, 2023) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to Twin Metals’ decision to defend its federal mineral leases from unlawful federal agency action and file a notice of appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit following September’s dismissal of its lawsuit by a U.S. District Court Judge:

“Jobs for Minnesotans supports Twin Metals’ decision to appeal the dismissal of its federal lawsuit. This move demonstrates their unwavering commitment to the communities of northeast Minnesota and to pursue a project that would mine minerals needed for clean energy technologies. 

“We continue to stand firmly behind the fair opportunity for every responsible industrial project, including Twin Metals, to undergo the thorough, science-based regulatory review process outlined by law – a process that would determine if this project can both mine safely and protect the environment.

“Minnesota holds incredible potential to become a leader in the responsible production of critical minerals that are essential to our state and nation’s clean energy transition. As the demand for these minerals grows exponentially, we cannot afford to ignore the pressing need for dependable domestic sources. In fact, our dependence on foreign nations for critical minerals reached an all-time high in 2022.  

“The actions taken against Twin Metals are unjust, and they continue to jeopardize the economic well-being of northeast Minnesota and hinder our nation’s clean energy goals. We simply ask that politics be put to the side and the space be made for responsible mining projects that can spur economic growth and job creation to be fairly assessed and reviewed.”

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 or LinkedIn and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.

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St. Paul, Minnesota (Sept. 7, 2023) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to the decision released yesterday by a U.S. District Court judge to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Twin Metals Minnesota on August 22, 2022, to regain its federal mineral leases:

Jobs for Minnesotans is outraged and extremely disappointed by the decision yesterday to dismiss the Twin Metals lawsuit. The company and the communities of northeast Minnesota deserve their day in court to defend federal mineral rights in this region arbitrarily taken away by the Biden administration in early 2022.

While just this week, the Biden administration announced a massive $150 million investment through the Department of Energy to advance domestic production of critical minerals – some of the exact minerals Twin Metals would be mining.

This action sends a harsh message to the business community: do not expect fair treatment in the United States. A company can spend more than half-a-billion dollars on exploration, research, community engagement and development of a project based on mineral leases in good standing for over 50 years – and get them taken out from under you at a moment’s notice due to what seems like a closed-door political favor, instead of rigorous, site-specific, scientific studies and public review of the project plan.

Twin Metals was never looking to begin mining tomorrow, they simply wanted the opportunity to proceed through the environmental review process, as outlined in law, to prove they can both safely protect the surrounding environment and mine the critical minerals needed for the clean energy transition.

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.

The communities of northeast Minnesota will remain steadfast in supporting Twin Metals in their next move to defend mineral rights and bring thousands of jobs to a region that deeply needs investment.

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 or LinkedIn and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.

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St. Paul, Minn. (August 2, 2023) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement following today’s decision released today from Minnesota Supreme Court related to NewRange Copper Nickel’s NorthMet Project’s water discharge permit:

“While we are disappointed this decision will add additional process and resources to review the NorthMet project permit, we stand by NewRange Copper Nickel’s commitment to working with state, federal and tribal agencies to help provide clarification around this permit.

“We encourage supporters of responsible industry to stay strong. NorthMet is a critical project for the clean energy transition, the region of northeast Minnesota, our state and country. Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Energy added copper to its Critical Materials List which already included nickel and platinum as well as other minerals.  This means copper has a high risk of supply chain disruption and serves an essential function in energy technologies that produce, transmit, store and conserve energy.

“Minnesota could be a global leader and provide the minerals needed for a clean energy future. Now more than ever, it is critical we secure the ability to 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.

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St. Paul, Minn. (June 6, 2023) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement following today’s decision released today from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers revoking the NewRange Copper Nickel section 404 water permit:

“Jobs for Minnesotans is deeply disappointed in and frustrated with today’s determination by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to revoke the NewRange Copper Nickel 404 water permit. This again delays a critical project for the clean energy transition, the region of northeast Minnesota, our state and country.

“While we dig deeper into the decision today, we are deeply puzzled why it has come to this. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency previously certified the project’s treated water met water quality standards under the Clean Water Act at discharge.

“We encourage supporters of responsible industry to stay strong as we continue to standby this project’s right to a fair and transparent regulatory process that is incredibly important to domestically secure minerals for the clean energy and battery storage technologies.

“The NewRange NorthMet project is expected to provide 360 family-sustaining jobs to northeast Minnesota, a region current experiencing severe economic disparities and unemployment rates compared to the Twin Cities. Now more than ever, it is critical we secure the ability to 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.

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St. Paul, Minn. (May 31, 2023) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the below statement following today’s determination by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that its nonferrous mining rule is adequate to protect air and water quality standards, and that the agency will narrowly reopen rulemaking related to light and noise standards: 

“Jobs for Minnesotans supports the DNR’s decision to largely uphold its nonferrous mining rules. The DNR acknowledged that current rules and standards, which are some of the most rigorous environmental standards and regulations in the world, are adequate to protect water and air quality in the BWCAW,” says Dave Chura, board chair of Jobs for Minnesotans.

“The rules largely defended today require any nonferrous mining project proposed in Minnesota to prove it can operate safely without impacting the surrounding environment. Every mine proposal is unique and specific to its leases, location and mining methods. Every geological deposit the proposal sits on is different. We need to allow each project to be evaluated based on science and facts.

“We urge the DNR to proceed with the narrow scope of rulemaking ordered today expeditiously and advance the environmental review of any proposed nonferrous project submitted in a timely, predictable and transparent manner.

“Today’s court-ordered decision stemmed from another failed attempt to kill the mining industry – and thousands of associated high-paying jobs – in Minnesota. Those opposed to mining have failed to kill the industry through the legislative process, but instead were trying to re-write regulations through the courts.

“We urge the DNR to proceed because we need these critical minerals for our clean energy future. We can safely and responsibly develop the minerals essential to our nation’s clean energy transition AND protect our environment. We can do both because of the skilled agency professionals reviewing and regulating proposed mining projects, the advancement of modern mining technology and effective environmental standards outlined in law.

“Nonferrous minerals include copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum group minerals essential to the clean energy transition, achieving the goals set by our elected leaders and securing domestic supply chains. Wind turbines, battery storage, solar panels, medical devices and broadband technology all require vast amounts of these minerals. We can safely develop them with high labor standards right here in Minnesota.”

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.

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