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Canoeing the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota. (Brad Zweerink / Earthjustice)
Press Release: Victory September 7, 2023

Judge Tosses Twin Metals Lawsuit, Halting Mine’s Threat to Boundary Waters

The federal court sided with government and with intervenors represented by Earthjustice

Press Release January 26, 2022

Biden Administration Cancels Twin Metals Leases Next to Boundary Waters; Restores Rule of Law

New decision restores legal consensus of five presidential administrations including Democrats and Republicans and allows for science-based decision on where risky mining is appropriate.

document September 7, 2023

Judge Dismisses Twin Metals Lawsuit

U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper agreed with the government and intervening groups that Twin Metals failed to raise a proper claim and that the court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case, dismissing the lawsuit in full.

document December 22, 2022

Motion to Intervene in Twin Metals Lease Cancellation Lawsuit

In 2020, Earthjustice sued the Trump administration on behalf of the Wilderness Society, Izaak Walton League of America, and the Center for Biological Diversity for improperly renewing two federal mining leases for Twin Metals. When the Biden administration cancelled those leases, Twin Metals sued. Earthjustice is now seeking to intervene on behalf of the conservation groups to defend the administration’s actions.

Canoeing the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota. (Brad Zweerink / Earthjustice)
Article September 7, 2023

We Just Protected a Pristine Midwest Wilderness from Mining

Dangerous mining plans threatened to ruin a pristine wilderness and a town’s thriving economy. Until we stepped in.

document May 6, 2020

Complaint: Twin Metals

Plaintiffs challenge the BLM's failure to comply with NEPA when it issued two hardrock mining lease renewals, to Twin Metals Minnesota, in an area adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

document June 25, 2018

Twin Metals Mine Complaint

This action challenges an attempt by the Bureau of Land Management to rescind a final decision issued nearly one and a half years previously. The Bureau’s previous decision, dated December 15, 2016, denied an application from Twin Metals Minnesota to renew two hardrock mineral leases, MNES 01352 and MNES 01353, adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in the Superior National Forest.

Mist on the water in early morning at the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota. (Brad Zweerink / Earthjustice)
Press Release: Victory January 26, 2023

U.S. Enacts 20-Year Mining Ban in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters

Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland has approved the mineral withdrawal of over 200,000 acres of Superior National Forest lands

The sun sets over Alder Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota.
(John Zilka / Getty Images)
Update: Victory February 11, 2022

Government Acts to Protect Boundary Waters from Risky Mining Plans

The result is a major step forward for all who work to preserve unspoiled and special wild spaces within the U.S.

Sulfide mining poses a severe threat to the 1,100 lakes in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
(Dan Thornberg / Shutterstock)
Press Release May 6, 2020

Lawsuit Targets Toxic Copper Mine Threatening Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Wilderness

Pollution from proposed Twin Metals mine would harm water quality and ecology in beloved wilderness area

Press Release October 20, 2021

Earthjustice Encouraged by Boundary Waters Announcement, Urges Permanent Protections for Beloved Wilderness Area

Applauds Biden administration decision to put science over politics

Storm clouds pass over the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. (Architect of the Capitol)
From the Experts April 30, 2024

Congress’ ‘Energy Week 2.0’ is the Anti-Earth Week Nobody Asked For

We don’t have time for reckless bills that continue to give handouts to polluting industries at the expense of people, our environment, and our planet.

document April 26, 2024

Letter in Opposition to the Superior Forest Bill

Groups oppose H.R. 3195, efforts to void the Boundary Waters area mineral withdrawal.

From the Experts June 28, 2021

To Create a Clean Energy Future, Mining Reform Must Be Front and Center

We are advocating for four solutions that together can ensure a sustainable supply chain for critical minerals.

Pose Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
(Reid Priedhorsky / GFDL 1.2)
Press Release June 25, 2018

Lawsuit Aims to Prevent Mining Pollution near Boundary Waters Wilderness in Minnesota

The Department of Interior reinstates 50-year-old mining leases upstream of the Boundary Waters

A South Texas rancher looks out over his family’s land that has been contaminated by pollutants from the San Miguel Electric Plant, in the background. (Ari Phillips / EIP)
feature May 4, 2023

Toxic Coal Ash in Texas: Addressing Coal Plants’ Hazardous Legacy

Coal ash is leaching unsafe levels of toxic pollutants into groundwater at 91% of coal plants. Texas has 80 coal ash dumpsites.

Sulfide mining poses a severe threat to the 1,100 lakes in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
(Dan Thornberg / Shutterstock)
Press Release September 6, 2018

Mining Freeze Protecting America’s Most Visited Wilderness Area Dropped by Trump Administration

Earthjustice reacts to today’s USDA announcement cancelling its application for safeguards against mining in Superior National Forest, impacting Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Press Release March 26, 2021

Mining Near Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Under Scrutiny as Minnesota Senator Seeks Review

Sen. Smith urges U.S. Forest Service to study harmful mining impacts in cherished wilderness area