Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced that the state will not process permits or conduct reviews for mining projects near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This decision follows the lifting of a federal ban by Congress and the Trump administration.
The Boundary Waters, known for its natural beauty, spans about 150 miles in the Superior National Forest along the Minnesota-Canada border. The area is popular with canoeists, kayakers, and campers.
“It’s our duty as Minnesotans to ensure the sacred place remains wild, pristine and unharmed,” Walz stated.
However, Walz’s executive order has a limited duration. Under state law, it will expire 90 days after he leaves office next April. A future governor could potentially renew or replace the order.
Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, a subsidiary of Chile-based Antofagasta Minerals, has pursued mining for copper, nickel, and other metals in the area since 2019. The company suggests it can mine without storing waste rock above ground, which they argue reduces pollution risk.
In April, a resolution signed by President Trump lifted a 2023 federal ban on mining in the forest. He claimed the move would create jobs and support the mining industry.
Walz’s order states that Minnesota regulators will not engage in federal environmental reviews of mining in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed, associated with the Boundary Waters. The state will abstain from environmental reviews or permitting activities on mining proposals amid ongoing litigation over state mining regulations. Walz instructed the Department of Natural Resources to draft legislation to prevent nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed.
Republican U.S. Representative Pete Stauber, serving the Boundary Waters area, accused Walz of waging “outright war on Northern Minnesota and our way of life.” Conversely, Becky Rom, chair of the organization Save the Boundary Waters, commended Walz’s decision.
“The science is clear: copper mining and the Boundary Waters cannot safely coexist. This action helps safeguard the clean water, world-class wilderness, and outdoor economy that generations of Minnesotans cherish,” Rom asserted.
Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democratic leader, has not commented. Meanwhile, Republican nominee Lisa Demuth expressed that mining can be conducted safely.
“There are critical minerals that everyone depends on a daily basis,” Demuth explained. “And they’re going to come from someplace.”
James Coleman, a University of Minnesota law professor, remarked that Walz’s order introduces significant uncertainty for future projects.
“If you need federal approval, you probably need state approval. These projects take many years to finish. Partisan politics may change at state or federal levels, complicating project completion,” Coleman commented.