Biden administration cancels Twin Metals leases near Boundary Waters

The Biden administration's Department of the Interior cancels the two federal mineral leases held by Twin Metals Minnesota for copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, concluding they were improperly reinstated by the Trump administration in 2017. Twin Metals sues. Earthjustice intervenes on behalf of conservation groups and successfully defends the cancellation in court. The following year, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland issues Public Land Order 7917 withdrawing 225,000 acres from mineral leasing entirely.