05/20/2026
In an opinion piece published Monday, Iron Range native and BIOBY Board Member Rudstrom pushed back against what she described as a misleading portrayal of Antofagasta and Twin Metals in a May 3 Star Tribune article focused on the company’s history.
Rudstrom, who taught science on the Iron Range for more than two decades before becoming a project engineer at Northeast Technical Services and working as a project engineer, argued that decisions about mining should be rooted in facts, science, and firsthand observation rather than fear or insinuation — and she couldn’t be more right.
Unlike leaders of opposition groups that oppose virtually any form of development in the region, Lisa understands firsthand what a strong mining industry means for Iron Range communities, schools, workers, and families.
Drawing from a firsthand visit to Antofagasta’s mining operations in Chile, Rudstrom highlighted the modern mining infrastructure, environmental monitoring, renewable energy use, and community investments she witnessed throughout the region.
She also emphasized that any future development of Twin Metals would take place under Minnesota and federal environmental regulations—not Chilean law—while noting that Minnesota regulators have already concluded the state’s copper-nickel mining standards are capable of protecting the Boundary Waters when properly enforced.
We agree with Lisa. Minnesotans should allow the scientific review and permitting process to run its course before rejecting projects outright.
To read more of Lisa's thoughts, please visit the link below:
https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-mining-debate-twin-metals-boundary-waters-copper-nickel/601845136
