Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Tuesday that the state will not be processing permits for proposed mining projects in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This decision comes four months after the federal ban on mining in the area was lifted by the U.S. Congress and President Donald Trump’s administration.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness spans approximately 240 kilometers along the border between Minnesota and Canada in the Superior National Forest, located just south of Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario. Thousands of outdoor enthusiasts, including canoeists, kayakers, and campers, visit this pristine wilderness annually.
Governor Walz, a Democrat, emphasized the importance of preserving the untouched and natural state of this sacred area. However, his executive order is set to expire in April, 90 days after his term ends, leaving room for the next governor to either continue or reverse the decision.
Although there are no immediate mining projects ready to commence, Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, a subsidiary of Antofagasta Minerals based in Chile, has been actively pursuing mining operations for copper, nickel, and other valuable metals in the national forest since 2019. The company asserts that it can conduct mining activities without leaving any waste rock above ground, thereby mitigating the risk of environmental harm, such as acid pollution.
Concerns have been raised about potential pollution if mining were to take place near the canoe area within the national forest. In April, President Trump lifted a federal moratorium on mining in the forest, citing job creation and economic benefits for the mining industry.
Governor Walz’s order specifies that Minnesota regulators will not engage in federal environmental reviews of nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed, which is connected to the Boundary Waters. The state will also refrain from conducting environmental assessments or permitting processes for mining proposals during ongoing litigation over state mining regulations.
Furthermore, Governor Walz has called for the drafting of legislation by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to prohibit nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed. In response, U.S. Representative Pete Stauber, a Republican, criticized the governor, accusing him of jeopardizing the livelihoods of northern Minnesota residents and undermining previous efforts in the region.
Becky Rom, chairperson of Save the Boundary Waters, commended Governor Walz for his decision, highlighting the incompatibility of copper mining with the natural ecosystem of the Boundary Waters. James Coleman, a professor at the University of Minnesota law school, noted that the governor’s order introduces uncertainty for any potential mining projects, emphasizing the complex and lengthy process of obtaining both state and federal approvals for such endeavors.