Bill provides unemployment benefits for laid off miners and crews; streamlines permitting to get them back to work
Senator Robert Farnsworth (R-Hibbing) today joined the Range delegation at a press conference to discuss the Minnesota Miner’s Relief Act to support laid-off miners from Cleveland-Cliffs facilities by providing an additional 26 weeks of unemployment. This extension continues a long-standing state commitment to ensuring stability for Minnesota’s mining workforce during industry downturns.
“We have always stood up for our miners, and this is no different,” said Sen. Farnsworth. “Since the Legislature won’t be in session when the standard unemployment benefits expire, it makes sense to act now and extend them immediately. There is bipartisan support for the Minnesota Miner’s Relief Act and I’m ready to work with anyone to take care of our miners. While we hope our miners are called back to work before regular benefits run out, we want to make sure we are prepared for whatever comes.”
In addition to extended benefits, the bill also focuses on revitalizing Minnesota’s mining industry by streamlining permitting for mining projects—a move aimed at getting miners back on the job faster and securing the long-term future of the industry on the Iron Range.
“Our miners don’t just want temporary relief—they want to work. That’s why streamlining the permitting process is just as critical. My bill addresses both the immediate and long-term concerns of mining families. It provides the financial security they need today, and it also signals that we stand firmly behind mining and its future on the Range. Our miners deserve certainty—not just in their paychecks, but in knowing that Minnesota supports this essential industry,” Farnsworth concluded.
The Minnesota Miner’s Relief Act reaffirms Minnesota’s commitment to mining families by ensuring immediate relief while also removing roadblocks that slow down job creation. By expediting the permitting process, the bill aims to create a clearer path for mining projects that will bring back jobs and strengthen the state’s economy.