On January 21, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to overturn former President Joe Biden's mining ban in northern Minnesota, providing momentum for Antofagasta's Twin Metals copper, cobalt, and nickel project. The measure will now proceed to the Senate for consideration. If approved by the Senate, it will be sent to President Trump, who pledged during the 2024 campaign to reverse Biden's 20-year prohibition on mining across 225,504 acres (91,200 hectares) of the Superior National Forest.
Earlier in January, media reports first revealed that Trump administration officials and lawmakers had initiated a complex plan to overturn the ban, arguing that Biden had not properly notified Congress. When the Interior Department resubmits the mining ban, both Congress and Trump are expected to reject it. Due to a provision in the 1996 Congressional Review Act (CRA), future presidents would be unable to reinstate Biden's ban.
The House voted 214-208 to reverse the ban as part of a measure led by Republican Representative Pete Stauber, who represents northern Minnesota. Conservationists have dismissed claims that Congress was not properly informed about Biden's move, pointing to detailed notifications in federal publications and letters to congressional members.
If the ban is lifted, the Trump administration could reissue mining leases to Chile-focused Antofagasta, which has sought for decades to develop the mine on federally controlled land. The project would still require environmental review and permitting.
Written by Cora Ji, jiruyan@mysteel.com
