STATE OF MINNESOTA
Office of Governor Mark Dayton
116 Veterans Service Building ♦ 20 West 12th Street • Saint Paul, MN 55155

March 6, 2016

Mr. Ian Duckworth
Chief Operating Officer
Twin Metals Minnesota
380 St. Peter Street
Suite 705
St. Paul, MN 55102

Dear Mr. Duckworth:
Thank you for taking the time to meet with Commissioner Landwehr, our staff, and me
on February 17, 2016, about Twin Metals' operations in northeastern Minnesota and its desire to
access state land to advance its mining proposal.
As I told you, I have grave concerns about the use of state surface lands for mining
related activities in close proximity to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).
I am not questioning the qualifications of either Twin Metals or its parent company Antofagasta
PLC. Rather my concern is for the inherent risks associated with any mining operation in close
proximity to the BWCAW and my concern about the State of Minnesota's actively promoting
advancement of such operations by permitting access to state lands.
As you know the BWCAW is a crown jewel in Minnesota and a national treasure. It is
the most visited wilderness in the eastern US, and a magnificently unique assemblage of forest
and waterbodies, an extraordinary legacy of wilderness adventure, and the home to iconic
species like moose and wolves. I have an obligation to ensure it is not diminished in any way.
Its uniqueness and fragility require that we exercise special care when we evaluate significant
land use changes in the area, and I am unwilling to take risks with that Minnesota environmental
icon.
Last Monday morning, I called the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
to discuss the importance of the BWCAW to Minnesotans. I apprised the Director of my strong
opposition to mining in close proximity to the BWCAW. I was informed that the BLM is in the
process of making a determination pertaining to the renewal of Twin Metals' federal lease
holdings. I believe that the BLM decision will offer further guidance on the future of mining in
the area.

Voice: (651) 201-3400 or (800) 657-3717

Website: http://mn.gov/goyernor/

Fax: (651) 797-1850

MN Relay (800) 627-3529
An Equal Opportunity Employer

Printed on recycled paper containing 15% post consumer material and state government printed

 Mr. Ian Duckworth
March 6, 2016
Page 2
In light of my concern about using state lands to advance mining operations in close
proximity to the BWCAW and given the uncertainty surrounding Twin Metals' federal mineral
leases, I wish to inform you that I have directed the DNR not to authorize or enter into any new
state access agreements or lease agreements for mining operations on those state lands.

cc: Commissioner Tom Landwehr, Department of Natural Resources