Photo Credit: Rick Kuntz / Boundary Waters Canoe Area
(ELY, Minn.) – A mineral lease belonging to Twin Metals' Minnesota subsidiary Franconia Minerals LLC has been cancelled by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The lease cancellation goes into effect on November 10 and covers Birch Lake, south of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA).
Minnesota DNR began reviewing existing mining leases in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) after an executive order issued last month by Governor Tim Walz banned nonferrous mining in the BWCA Wilderness. The order also requires the DNR to take steps to provide long-term protection for the Minnesota Boundary Waters and review all current mineral leases.
After a thorough review of the Birch Lake lease, the DNR found that Twin Metals failed to meet the lease's performance and production requirements. The Birch Lake area was not chosen as a mine location, and the lease cancellation doesn’t mean the Twin Metals mining project is dead.
Photo Credit: Friends of BWCA / Expected mineral lease expirations near the BWCA
The actions do show that Minnesota is serious about honoring and enforcing lease requirements and will use full authority to do it. On a larger scale, it makes it known that any rights Minnesota grants must meet requirements, and a company can't hold them indefinitely without meeting the conditions.
While it seems minor, the move is considered a win for many advocacy groups attempting to prevent mining so close to the BWCA Wilderness. A broader state review is still happening in the area.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at kristin.h@lead4earth.org.
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