SAINT PAUL, Minn. – State Representative Dave Lislegard (DFL – Aurora) issued the following statement in response to the United States Departments of Agriculture and the Interior’s plan for a 20-year withdrawal of mineral leases of thousands of acres within the Superior National Forest, impacting the future of the proposed Twin Metals mine in northeastern Minnesota:
“Stymieing a proposal like Twin Metals at this early stage of the game will only serve to satisfy those opposed to any new mining no matter the circumstances. To prevent a project with such significant investment and potential for quality jobs from even being considered represents another devastating setback as our communities work to recover from an incredibly challenging period. Further, the materials to fuel a green energy future will need to come from somewhere, and we believe they should be safely sourced here at home.
“People in northern Minnesota value our natural resources, which is why we support following the law, science, and allowing a proven, robust regulatory process to proceed. Instead, today’s actions will placate anti-mining forces at the expense of new economic opportunity for people in our region.”