Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Tuesday that the state would halt the review and processing of 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 the Trump administration.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness spans approximately 240 kilometers along Minnesota’s border with Canada in the Superior National Forest, situated just south of Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario. It is a popular destination for thousands of outdoor enthusiasts, including canoeists, kayakers, and campers.
Governor Walz, a member of the Democratic Party, emphasized the importance of preserving the wilderness in its natural state, stating, “It’s our responsibility as Minnesotans to ensure the sanctity of this place remains untouched and undamaged.”
Although Governor Walz’s executive order is temporary and set to expire in April, the next governor could potentially extend it. 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 claims it can conduct mining activities without leaving waste rock above ground to mitigate environmental concerns, including acid contamination.
Environmentalists and conservationists fear that mining activities in the area could lead to pollution in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness due to its proximity to the proposed mine site.
In April, former President Trump signed a resolution approved by Congress, lifting the federal moratorium on mining in the forest in 2023. He argued that mining would create job opportunities and benefit the mining industry.
Governor Walz’s order prohibits Minnesota regulators from participating in federal environmental reviews of nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed, which is connected to the Boundary Waters. Additionally, the state will refrain from conducting environmental assessments or permitting processes for mining proposals while legal disputes over state mining regulations persist.
Furthermore, Governor Walz has called for the drafting of legislation by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to ban nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed.
Republican U.S. Representative Pete Stauber criticized Governor Walz, accusing him of waging a campaign against northern Minnesota and its traditional way of life. Stauber expressed disappointment, stating that years of thorough review, environmental studies, and significant private investments have been disregarded by the governor’s decision.
Becky Rom, chairperson of the advocacy group Save the Boundary Waters, commended Governor Walz for taking action to protect the wilderness. She asserted that scientific evidence supports the incompatibility of copper mining with the Boundary Waters and highlights the need to safeguard clean water sources, the pristine wilderness, and the outdoor economy valued by generations of Minnesotans.
James Coleman, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, noted that Governor Walz’s order introduces uncertainty to proposed mining projects, as federal approval often hinges on state endorsement. Coleman emphasized the lengthy timeline and potential challenges associated with completing such projects, especially in the face of shifting political dynamics at the state and federal levels.
