Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning, requesting answers on the administration's decision to lock up rich mineral deposits in and around the Superior National Forest. In part, the members wrote:

"The information will assist the Committee with its ongoing oversight efforts to ensure America’s access to essential minerals and the potential manipulation of U.S. tax-exempt organizations to influence America’s environmental, natural resource, and energy policies. Moreover, the Committee is alarmed with the Biden administration elevating policies championed by radical eco-activists and far-left nonprofits at the expense of national security, economic, and energy interests...

"The Committee is deeply concerned that Biden administration officials potentially held private, undocumented meetings with plaintiffs suing the federal government over the Twin Metals mining permits. The Committee is especially concerned with the Biden administration’s general hostility to domestic mining projects as the world continues to require minerals at a growing, unprecedented rate. Indeed, the Committee is alarmed by the Biden administration’s ongoing prioritization of the radical demands of radical activists and far-left nonprofits over America’s energy and economic interests. 

"As such, the Committee is interested in learning more about the Twin Metals lease cancellation, the Superior Withdrawal, and any related meetings the Biden administration had with nonprofit entities, especially given the potential manipulation of U.S. tax-exempt organizations to influence America’s environmental, natural resource, and energy policies."

Read the full letter here.

Background

Northeast Minnesota is home to one of the world's largest known undeveloped copper-nickel deposit, yet with the decision to shutter development in this area, the Biden administration has clearly demonstrated its intent to block access to the resources necessary for our daily life and national security.

Upon completion, the Twin Metals mine would tap into vast domestic supplies of minerals like copper that are necessary for renewable energy, computer systems, defense applications and essential household products.