Joe Biden has just decided that 225,504 acres in a northern Minnesota forest cannot be mined.
In fact the administration has issued a 20-year ban on the area.
This is important because it is one of the largest reserves of domestic critical minerals in the country.
No Independence
Why is this a problem?
Well, we need those minerals, especially if there is going to be a big push toward renewable energy.
Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland stated, “The Department of the Interior takes seriously our obligations to steward public lands and waters on behalf of all Americans. Protecting a place like Boundary Waters is key to supporting the health of the watershed and its surrounding wildlife, upholding our Tribal trust and treaty responsibilities, and boosting the local recreation economy.
“With an eye toward protecting this special place for future generations, I have made this decision using the best-available science and extensive public input.”
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) responded, “If Democrats were serious about developing renewable energy sources and breaking China’s stranglehold on the global market, they would be flinging open the doors to responsible mineral development here in the U.S.
“We cannot have a future of renewable energy without minerals, period — not to mention their necessity to our defense systems, satellites, cellphones and virtually every other advanced technology.
“While Democrats play political ping pong with American industries, China and Russia are laughing straight to the bank.
“The administration’s decision to withdraw this mineral-rich area — blatantly targeting one of our country’s most promising mines — is short-sighted, foolish and completely unscientific.
“Unfortunately, President Biden doesn’t seem to mind if Minnesota mining communities and the entire American economy pay the price.”
To quote National Mining Association President and CEO Rich Nolan, “It’s nonsensical.”
Source: Fox News
