The clock is ticking to protect the Boundary Waters

This week's action:

For those of us in Minnesota—here’s what you can do:

• Keep calling Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith—they’re both opposed to this bill, and you can thank them for their work.
•  Send a message to your state-level lawmakers—there’s never been a more important time for them to support and work to pass the proposed state bill for permanent protection of the Boundary Waters watershed. We must make sure Minnesota can prevent this dangerous mine from ever being built.

For those who live elsewhere—here's what you can do:

• Keep calling your Senators. Tell them to vote NO on HJ Res. 140.
• Share this to your stories on social media >>

Myth-busting (#2 of too many)

MYTH: Sulfide-ore copper mining near the Boundary Waters will boost the local economy and create American jobs.

FACT: Mining near the Boundary Waters would undeniably harm the regional economy and destroy more jobs than it would create. Sulfide-ore copper mining next to the Boundary Waters risks nearly 17,000 American jobs, the regional economy, and the Boundary Waters — while sending the benefits overseas to benefit the Chinese economy.

• A peer-reviewed Harvard University study found that, over 20 years, the existing outdoor recreation economy would produce far greater economic benefits than a mining-based economy — including:
  • 1,500–4,600 more jobs
  • $100–$900 million more in total income

The outdoor economy is the Northland’s economic engine. Outdoor recreation generates $13.9 billion annually for Minnesota, while extractive industries — including mining, timber, and sand & gravel — generate just $1.2 billion.

FACT: Twin Metals has also said that much of its workforce will come from out of state and out of the country. A Twin Metals spokesperson, David Ulrich said, “There’s just not that technical talent base here” for some of those jobs. He said, “We’ve reached out across the world to find some of the premier folks on Earth to come and help us with this project.”

FACT: Opposition to this mine is broad and varied. In addition to business owners large and small, hunters, anglers, paddlers, youth, faith groups, camps, conservationists, and Americans from across the country consistently show overwhelming support for protecting the Boundary Waters watershed. Over 675,000 Americans commented during public engagement sessions, and over 98% of those comments were in favor of the Mineral Withdrawal protecting the Boundary Waters watershed from copper mining development.

FACT:  Twin Metals’ parent company, Antofagasta, has already secured record-breaking — zero-cost (meaning free) — agreements with state-owned copper smelters in China — Antofagasta will ship any ore concentrates mined in Minnesota directly to China for processing, where the copper will be used to support Chinese mineral and energy dominance, further sidelining American jobs and economic priorities.