Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced the state’s decision to halt the review and processing of permits for proposed mining projects near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This decision follows the lifting of a federal ban by Congress and the Trump administration four months earlier.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a protected area spanning approximately 150 miles in the Superior National Forest, located along Minnesota’s border with Canada. This region is a popular destination for canoeists, kayakers, and campers seeking to experience its pristine natural beauty.
Governor Walz emphasized the importance of preserving this area in his statement. “As Minnesotans, it’s our duty to ensure that this sacred place remains wild, pristine, and unharmed,” he said.
However, the executive order issued by Walz is set to expire by next April, 90 days after he leaves office, as state law mandates. The responsibility will fall on the next governor to potentially adopt or modify the order.
Currently, no mining projects in the area are ready to break ground. Still, Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, a subsidiary of Antofagasta Minerals based in Chile, has expressed interest in mining for copper, nickel, and other valuable metals in the national forest since 2019. The company claims its mining process will not store waste rock above ground, potentially reducing acid pollution risks.
Trump had previously lifted a 2023 federal moratorium on mining in the Superior National Forest, citing job creation and a boost to the mining industry.
Governor Walz’s order specifies that Minnesota regulators will not participate as a cooperating agency in any federal environmental review of nonferrous mining within the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed, which affects the Boundary Waters. The state also intends to refrain from conducting environmental reviews or permitting work amid ongoing litigation concerning state mining regulations.
Walz has also directed the Department of Natural Resources to draft legislation that would prohibit nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed. In contrast, Republican U.S. Representative Pete Stauber, representing the Boundary Waters region, criticized the governor’s stance, viewing it as a threat to Northern Minnesota’s way of life.
Becky Rom, chairperson of the advocacy group Save the Boundary Waters, praised Walz’s action, asserting that “the science is clear: copper mining and the Boundary Waters cannot safely coexist.” She emphasized that the decision helps protect the clean water, wilderness, and outdoor economy cherished by Minnesotans.
Meanwhile, Republican nominee Lisa Demuth expressed her belief in the possibility of safe mining, arguing that crucial minerals are essential for daily life and must originate from somewhere.
James Coleman, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, noted that Walz’s order introduces uncertainty to any proposed mining projects, highlighting the challenges posed by potential political changes at the federal or state level, which could impact long-term project development.