Emmer said, “Mining in the Iron Range has provided a livelihood to generations of Minnesotans and offered a domestic source of resources that have been key to securing America’s stature on the global stage.”
“Northern Minnesota is home to one of the largest untapped mineral reserves in the world. We have a choice: either mine these minerals safely and responsibly here in the United States, or remain reliant on countries like China and Russia.” Emmer concluded, “We must oppose senseless attempts to cancel American jobs and jeopardize our resource independence.”
Fischbach said, “The ripple effects Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had on our food and resource supplies is a perfect example of how important it is for America to decrease its reliance on adversaries,” said Rep. Fischbach. “Projects like Twin Metals Minnesota’s are what we need to become more independent. We can produce the critical minerals needed for everything from cellphones to airplanes right here in Minnesota, and in a manner far cleaner and safer than those produced in countries like China and Russia. We need to be encouraging more projects like this, not halting them as Mrs. McCollum’s bill would.”
“Mining is northern Minnesota’s past, present and future. Unfortunately, Members of Congress from far outside of our region are working hand-in-hand with the Biden Administration to ban mining in parts of our state and are trying to make the United States more reliant on foreign sources for critical minerals. I’d like to thank Representatives Emmer and Fischbach for joining me in fighting for our way of life,” said Congressman Stauber.
Emmer and Fischbach submitted a statement for the record in advance of a May 24 House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources hearing, led by Representative Stauber.
Background
In 2013, Twin Metals Minnesota obtained leases to mine underground copper, nickel, cobalt, and platinum group metals in the Superior National Forest. Six years later, the company submitted a formal proposal for a mine project that could bring more than two thousand jobs to the region.
The minerals Twin Metals hopes to mine in Northern Minnesota are used in the production of airplanes, cell phones, and other items indispensable to America’s economy and national security. Currently, the United States imports more than half of the critical minerals it needs from countries like China, Russia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Biden Administration canceled Twin Metals’ mining leases in January.
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