The leases, reinstated during the Trump years, would have allowed a Chilean mining conglomerate to dig for copper and nickel near the Boundary Waters wilderness in Minnesota.
The revival of project to mine the edge of Minnesota's cherished Boundary Water has angered environmentalists and focused attention on an unusual connection between a Chilean billionaire and President Trump's family.
President Trump said he plans to announce this week his pick to replace Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who will be leaving the administration at the end of the year.
