U.S. President Donald Trump has removed the federal prohibition on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota, allowing a South American company interested in the area’s valuable metals to start seeking permits. This decision has raised concerns among environmentalists who worry that it could set a precedent for weakening protections of public lands nationwide. Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, a subsidiary of Antofagasta Minerals based in Chile, has been exploring opportunities to extract copper, nickel, and other precious metals in the Superior National Forest since 2019.
The potential mining activities near the canoe area, situated within the national forest, have sparked fears of pollution that could harm one of the last remaining wild areas in the country. Former President Joe Biden’s administration had imposed a 20-year moratorium on mining in the national forest in 2023, delaying Twin Metals’ plans. However, President Trump’s focus on enhancing domestic energy and mineral production led to the lifting of the moratorium earlier this month, supported by congressional Republicans who argued that it would create jobs and revitalize the mining sector in Minnesota’s Iron Range. The president signed the resolution on Monday.
In response to the decision, Ingrid Lyons, the executive director of Save the Boundary Waters, expressed disappointment, calling the move a setback for the iconic Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and a concerning development for public lands nationwide. Despite the decision, advocacy groups and concerned citizens remain committed to protecting the area.
Twin Metals spokesperson Kathy Graul emphasized that while the moratorium’s removal presents an opportunity to strengthen mineral supply chains, the company still needs to navigate a complex permitting process that could extend over several years due to the mix of state, federal, and private land at the mine site. The company’s first hurdle is to secure the right to mine after its federal site leases were terminated by the Department of the Interior in early 2022.
Twin Metals is currently involved in legal battles to uphold the validity of its leases and must meet stringent requirements for water pollution prevention, waste rock storage, and land restoration to obtain mining permits from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The involvement of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, who opposes lifting the moratorium, and potential legal challenges from environmental groups and Indigenous tribes could further complicate the company’s plans. Additionally, concerns about cross-border pollution and treaty violations with Canada could present additional obstacles for Twin Metals’ mining aspirations near the Canadian border.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which separates northeastern Minnesota from northwestern Ontario, remains a pristine environment with restrictions on logging, aircraft altitude limits, and motorized boat usage. Its unspoiled nature attracts numerous visitors, with the U.S. Forest Service issuing approximately 776,000 visitor permits between 2020 and 2024.
