President Donald Trump signed H.J. Res. 140 into law this week, overturning the Biden administration’s withdrawal of 225,504 acres of land in the Superior National Forest from mineral exploration and development. The resolution was led by Pete Stauber, Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
The move is significant for American mining interests, as it reopens access to large deposits of minerals that are considered important for modern industries. Supporters say it will support domestic mining jobs and strengthen U.S. mineral resources.
“It is a great week for American mining. By unlocking the mineral-rich lands of the Duluth Complex, America may access large deposits of the minerals that power the 21st Century. I commend Representative Stauber for his commitment over the past 4 years to overturn the Biden administration’s misguided mineral withdrawal. I also want to thank President Trump for signing this resolution to unleash domestic mining, support our mining workforce and bring mineral dominance to America,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman.
Subcommittee Chairman Pete Stauber said, “It’s official. The illegal mining ban put in place by former President Biden has been overturned indefinitely, ending a reckless policy that sidelined Minnesota’s miners and undermined our nation’s ability to source our own materials. Never again will any Democrat President be able to unilaterally ban mining in this strategic area of the Superior National Forest.” He added that proposed projects can now proceed through state and federal environmental review processes.
The Duluth Complex contains nearly eight billion tons of critical minerals and could represent major portions of America’s nickel, cobalt, copper reserves as well as platinum-group resources if developed. In January 2022, two decades-old leases held by Twin Metals Minnesota were canceled by the Biden administration; later Public Land Order (PLO 7917) withdrew over 225 thousand acres from leasing for twenty years.
According to background information provided with the announcement, H.J. Res. 140 eliminates PLO 7917 under provisions set forth by the Congressional Review Act but does not mandate any specific project go forward—rather it allows projects like Twin Metals’ proposal to undergo full environmental review.