Antofagasta is a renowned Chilean mining company that recently faced a setback in its bid to revive a major copper and nickel mining project in Minnesota, USA. The project, which was worth $1. 7 billion, aimed to become one of the largest sources of metals required for electric vehicle batteries and clean energy technologies.

The Biden administration had halted the project due to concerns about potential pollution of a significant recreational waterway. US District Judge Christopher Cooper in Washington, DC dismissed a lawsuit filed by Antofagasta's subsidiary, Twin Metals, challenging the cancellation of the mineral leases for the underground mine. The judge ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction over the claims based on the Administrative Procedure Act.

The cancellation of the leases was made after the US Interior Department determined that they were unlawfully renewed, disregarding concerns from the US Forest Service about potential pollution. This ruling marks a victory for environmental groups who had intervened to support the government's decision. Twin Metals had argued that it had invested substantially in developing an environmentally responsible mine.

While the Interior Department spokesperson did not comment on the ruling, Twin Metals did not immediately respond to the decision