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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dave Lislegard (DFL)

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RELEASE: Rep. Lislegard statement on DNR announcement regarding Mesabi Metallics project

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced Mesabi Metallics didn’t meet the terms of their agreement with the agency, including failure to meet critical and required benchmarks by May 1 to maintain mineral leases at the site of their proposed project in Nashwauk.

State Representative Dave Lislegard (DFL – Aurora) issued the following statement:

“Today’s announcement validates everything we’ve said about this organization, and what Mesabi Metallics put forth recently was just more in a long line of continued failed promises. While we have lost precious time and economic opportunity over the last 13 years, now is the time for us to move forward. I'm extremely pleased that today the DNR has listened to the will of the people of the Iron Range who have been impacted by this bad actor’s inability to meet its commitments.

“It’s critical the decisions we make today protect the assets and our ability to finally move the project in Nashwauk forward with a viable and credible partner, and finally give us the opportunity to strengthen our region’s economic future.”