Appeals court says group can sue over Minnesota mining rules over mine that potentially threatens Boundary Waters

ELY, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota appellate court affirmed Monday that a wilderness advocacy has standing to challenge state rules restricting copper mining sites.

The ruling means that Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness’ efforts to block a proposed copper mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness can continue.

Minnesota’s 29-year-old nonferrous mining siting rules prohibit mines in the Boundary Waters but allow them along waters that flow into the popular outdoors getaway. The wilderness group filed a lawsuit in June 2020 arguing the rules should be amended to prohibit mining along waters that flow into the area as well.

The lawsuit is designed to block Twin Metals Minnesota’s plans for a massive copper-nickel mine in the Rainy River Headwaters. The wilderness group fears run-off from the mine would flow north into the Boundary Waters.

Twin Metals is owned by a billionaire from Chile, through mining giant Antofagasta. The metals mined in Minnesota will be shipped to China. 

Twin Metals asked a lower court judge to dismiss the case on grounds that the wilderness group hasn’t shown that the mine would harm it and therefore lacks legal standing to sue. That judge refused the request and directed the state Department of Natural Resources to begin reviewing the rules.

The mining company appealed, again arguing that the wilderness group lacks standing because it failed to allege an imminent injury. But appellate Judge Michael Kirk wrote that Minnesota environmental law doesn’t require an injury to sue and instead grants broad standing to file challenges.

Twin Metals Minnesota attorney Peter Larson didn’t immediately respond to a message Monday afternoon.