Senate Chair of the Mining & Forestry Committee, Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids), released the following statement in response to U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s letter to Biden Administration officials urging them to conduct a mineral segregation and withdrawal study for the Rainy River Watershed:

“This effort is another attempt by Metro Democrats and D.C Democrats to shut down mining operations here in Northern Minnesota,” said Eichorn. “Our Northern Minnesota mines already go through some of the strictest environmental regulatory standards in the entire world. Adding another additional layer of red tape for political purposes is something I completely reject. This letter is a slap in the face to the thousands of blue-collar workers who make a living here.”

“As Chair of the Senate Mining & Forestry Committee I am working hard at the legislature to ensure we can mine for the minerals that produce the technology of today and tomorrow,” Eichorn said. “I have used my position to block harmful legislation that seeks to devastate our economy. I would rather see blue-collar workers employed safely mining in Northern Minnesota than have those jobs be done unsafely overseas. I will always be a champion for Northern Minnesotans even in the face of metro opposition.”