MINNEAPOLIS  — The United States Forest Service said it is concerned about a proposed copper-nickel mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The agency Monday indicated it might deny mineral leases needed for the $2.8 billion project. The Forest Service took the unusual step of asking for public comment on the Twin Metals Minnesota project. A public hearing is set for July 13 in Duluth.

According to a press release, company officials had no immediate comment.

Gov. Mark Dayton praised the Forest Service. In March, Dayton said the state wouldn’t authorize access to its lands for the project.

Twin Metals Minnesota wants to build an underground mine near Ely that the company says would create about 850 full-time jobs. Environmentalists say the site sits within a watershed that flows into Boundary Waters.