St. Paul, MN– State Representative Spencer Igo, R-Wabana Township, introduced legislation this week that would declare Minnesota a mining-friendly state. House File 344 has bipartisan support and makes clear that it is the state’s official policy that Minnesota is mining friendly. This is an important declaration of support for communities as lawmakers and local stakeholders look for ways to promote responsible mining in the Northland.
“This bill is about making clear that Minnesota supports mining,” said Igo. “With this legislation, we can come together and cement into law what we’ve known for more than 140 years—mining is our past, our present, and our future. Policy like this creates a mission statement for our state to support and develop our mining industry. The Iron Range is blessed with an abundance of critical minerals including taconite, copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and many others that we need to build the economy of tomorrow.”
Igo has long been a strong advocate for responsible and safe mining in Minnesota to grow the Northland’s economy and provide well-paying union jobs for local residents.
Igo continued, “The policy also puts Minnesota workers and communities first as to not rely on outsourcing the extraction of critical minerals to hostile foreign nations that have zero environmental regulations. Let’s support our Northland by mining these minerals here so that future generations continue to live, work, and thrive on our Iron Range.”
The bill has been referred to the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee where it awaits its first hearing. Its senate companion bill, Senate File 305, is being carried by Senator Rob Farnsworth, R-Hibbing.
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