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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Latest on the decision by federal agencies to deny renewal of mineral rights leases for the proposed Twin Metals mine in northeastern Minnesota (all times local): 11:30 Environmentalists are celebrating a decision by federal agencies not to renew the mineral rights leases for the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. Beck Rom, of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, says her group was optimistic the leases would be denied because the U.S. Forest Service said last June that it was considering withholding consent for renewal. She says it was clear from the agency's listening sessions that many Minnesotans oppose mining so close to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Paul Danicic, of Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, says the decision happened because tens of thousands of people spoke up. He says it's critical to show the federal government how many people support permanently protecting the wilderness area from mining pollution. ___ 10:15 a.m. Federal agencies have denied renewal of critical minerals leases needed for a proposed underground copper-nickel mine near Ely in northeastern Minnesota. The Agriculture and Interior Departments on Thursday declined to renew two longstanding mineral rights leases for the Twin Metals project, and also announced other steps to protect the watershed of the pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The agencies cited "broad concerns from thousands of public comments and input about potential impacts of mining on the wilderness area's watershed, fish and wildlife, and the nearly $45 million recreation economy." Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the agencies plan take a two-year "time out" to conduct a careful environmental analysis and engage the public on whether future mining should be authorized on any federal land next door to the Boundary Waters.

The Latest: Environmentalists celebrate mine lease denial