The U.S. Forest Service says it's downgrading an environmental review of a proposal to withdraw certain national forest land in Minnesota from minerals exploration for up to 20 years.
Legislation from two Minnesota congressmen which allows for expanded mining in northeastern Minnesota has caused broader environmental debate in the U.S. House and divided the state's congressional delegation.
A judge is considering a motion by federal agencies and an environmental group to dismiss a lawsuit by developers of the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine who are seeking to regain their mineral rights leases.
U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan has asked the federal government to reverse an Obama administration decision to block minerals exploration and mining in more than 234,000 acres of the Superior National Forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
More than 400 workers at Cliffs Natural Resources' Northshore Mining are back on the job - the first major callback of workers in several months on northern Minnesota's Iron Range.
The Environmental Protection Agency says the final environmental review for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine adequately addresses comments it made about earlier drafts of the massive document and says its remaining concerns can be addressed later.