This week, 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 follow-up letter to U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland and Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning as part of the committee's ongoing investigation into the cancellation of two decades-old mineral leases in the Superior National Forest. In part, the members wrote:

"The Committee is deeply disappointed by the non-responsiveness from the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to our prior request for documents and information. With global mineral demand to grow nearly fivefold by 2050, the Committee is alarmed by the Biden administration’s continued efforts to reduce domestic mineral production and evade congressional oversight. 

"As you know, following reports of secret meetings between high-ranking DOI officials and the lead plaintiffs challenging one of America’s largest critical minerals projects, on November 20, 2023, the Committee sent you a letter requesting information, documents, and records critical to our investigation. The requested documents and information will assist the Committee with its ongoing oversight efforts examining America’s access to essential minerals and investigating the potential manipulation of U.S. tax-exempt organizations to influence America’s environmental, natural resource, and energy policies. On November 20, 2023, staff for DOI confirmed receipt of the Committee Letter. Since then, DOI and BLM have not communicated with the Committee on this matter. The silence from DOI and BLM ignores the deadline for the requested information, documents, and records, which passed on December 8, 2023. To date, the Committee has yet to receive a substantive reply or production responsive to our requests and this is unacceptable."

Read the full letter here.

Background

Northeast Minnesota is home to one of the world's largest known undeveloped copper-nickel deposits, 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. The Biden administration canceled two decades-old leases held by Twin Metals and dealt a massive blow to our domestic mining industry and supply chain.

Minnesota is also home to the Superior National Forest, which is a mineral-rich area that has been considered for future mining development. The Biden administration restricted access to nearly 225,000 acres of the forest for mining development in yet another decision that puts America's mineral supply chain at risk.

Surrounding both of these actions by the Biden administration are private, undocumented meetings between government officials and The Wilderness Society, one of the plaintiffs in litigation surrounding the Twin Metals permits. DOI and the Biden administration have refused to provide information about these meetings to the committee. 

The committee's initial, unanswered request was sent on Nov. 20, 2023.