Minnesota State Senator claims Biden Administration is aiding China by limiting domestic mining.

The Biden Administration’s Stance on Mining Threatens US Independence

Former Minnesota State Sen. Tom Bakk warns that the Biden administration’s restrictive approach to domestic mining projects is making the United States dependent on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

“We need to change the narrative on mining in this country,” Mr. Bakk emphasized during his testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee on July 10. “It’s contrary to their own objectives.”

Mr. Bakk, speaking at a field hearing in Kimball, Minnesota, highlighted the vast deposits of essential minerals like copper, cobalt, nickel, and platinum group metals in northeast Minnesota. These minerals are crucial for the renewable energy industry.

According to Mr. Bakk, the United States has the potential to become a net exporter of these minerals. However, the recent announcement by the CCP on July 3, which restricts the export of germanium and gallium used in high-performance computer chips, demonstrates China’s willingness to disrupt supply chains.

“It’s not just bad for Minnesota or the country; it’s bad for the world,” Mr. Bakk expressed his concerns.

Mr. Bakk further criticized the Biden administration for severely restricting mining in the United States, resulting in China’s monopoly over these essential minerals.

“It’s urgent that we remove obstacles to domestic mineral production because our ability to avoid supply chain disruptions and build a greener future depends on it,” Mr. Bakk urged.

He specifically mentioned the Duluth Complex in northeast Minnesota, which has been a significant mining area for 140 years. With the increasing demand for green energy, mining in this region could not only meet America’s needs but also support other countries while creating numerous jobs and revitalizing the struggling economy.

“That deposit could have sustained several generations of miners,” he emphasized.

However, Mr. Bakk noted a lack of consistency in the U.S. government’s support for green energy. While President Joe Biden promised Detroit auto workers that they would be manufacturing electric cars, the administration needs to ensure a secure supply chain for raw materials.

“It’s a fact of life; without the minerals, the production cannot be completed,” Mr. Bakk emphasized.

In 2016, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) refused to renew two mining leases in the Superior National Forest, citing potential environmental risks to Lake Superior.

Mining Leases Canceled on Duluth Complex

At that time, no mining had taken place on the site.

In 2018, the Trump administration reversed the decision and renewed the leases. However, in January 2022, the Interior Department determined that the Trump decision violated the law, disregarded the U.S. Forestry Service’s consent authority, and failed to consider all possibilities.