Anniversary of mining ban, Antofagasta fined for non-compliance
Three year anniversary of 20-year mining ban
Today is the 3-year anniversary of the 20-year mining ban on lands upstream of the Boundary Waters. On January 26, 2023, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland signed Public Land Order 7917, which bans sulfide-ore copper mining on 225,504 acres of Superior National Forest land upstream of the Boundary Waters. This was a historic win for the Boundary Waters and those who seek to protect it.
However, earlier this month, Rep. Pete Stauber introduced a Joint Resolution that uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the 20-year Boundary Waters mining ban. This maneuver is an unprecedented attempt to overturn a Mineral Withdrawal using the CRA. Ultimately, if successful, this move would pave the way for Twin Metals, a Chilean-owned company, to proceed with its mining leases to build a copper mine on Birch Lake near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Pollution from this mine would flow directly into the Wilderness, impacting all downstream landscapes, including Quetico Provincial Park and Voyageurs National Park. Joint Resolution (H.J. 140) passed through the House Rules Committee on January 20 and the House floor on January 21. This bill now moves to the Senate.
Antofagasta fined for non-compliance
Proponents of this mine say they will use the “best technology” and “follow Minnesota’s strict environmental standards.” Yet, on Friday, January 23, the Chilean mining giant Antofagasta Minerals was fined about $775,000 for failing to comply with regulations at its Centinela copper mine.
Antofagasta is the parent company of Twin Metals, the company trying to open a toxic copper-nickel mine next to America’s most visited Wilderness. Antofagasta Chile’s environmental regulator said “the company did not keep proper track of water resources and did not follow the monitoring rules outlined in the ‘El Tesoro’ project's environmental impact study and an additional monitoring plan.”
And let’s be clear, no copper mining has ever been conducted in Minnesota, and has never been done safely. A recent study of copper mines analyzes eight operating mines alongside two proposed mines in Northeastern Minnesota. The study found that even under today’s mining regulations, all eight hardrock mines across the United States are consistently polluting rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
Antofagasta also has a history of pollution and dishonesty, for example:
- Antofagasta's mine in Chile cut off the flow of the nearby waterway, robbing a town of fresh water and endangering the residents. Even after villagers won a lawsuit against the company and the Chilean Supreme Court ordered the removal of the mining dam, Antofagasta used its power to defeat the villagers and keep its controversial mining dam in place — cutting off the water from the people. [1]
- Antofagasta has been implicated in a number of bribery and corruption scandals. [2]
- They’ve spent over $1 million lobbying Congress to secure mining leases, prioritizing profits over pristine waters.
The ore would also likely be shipped to China for smelting and processing, as the US has limited smelter capacity, and be sold on the world market. This is why we cannot let a foreign-owned mining company mine next to America’s most visited Wilderness.
What’s next?
Next, the resolution moves to the Senate, where:
- The Senate Parliamentarian will rule on whether the CRA can be used to challenge mineral withdrawals.
- The full Senate will vote on the resolution.
- If the resolution passes and is signed by the President, the 20-year mining ban will be overturned.
- This paves the way for the Administration to issue mineral leases in the Boundary Waters watershed.
What you can do: Contact your U.S. Senators and urge them to oppose this resolution. We need calls coming in from across the country. We also encourage you to share
More resources:
Bill passed House to overturn Mining ban near Boundary Waters | Save the Boundary Waters
Understanding 20-Year Federal Protections and What’s Next | Save the Boundary Waters
Antofagasta: The Chilean mining giant rushing to ruin the Boundary Waters | Savethe Boundary Waters
Chilean regulator fines Antofagasta's Centinela copper mine for non-compliance | Reuters
1. Brook, J. (2021, August 30). In foothills of Chilean Andes, a mining dam set off a years-long battle with residents. Miami Herald.
2. Reuters (2015, February 10). Chilean president’s family caught up in loan scandal. Reuters.com.
