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 former President Donald Trump’s administration.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, located along Minnesota’s border with Canada in the Superior National Forest, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with thousands of visitors exploring its pristine wilderness each year.
Governor Walz, a Democrat, emphasized the importance of preserving the natural integrity of this sacred place. However, the executive order issued by Walz is set to expire in April, 90 days after his term ends, leaving the decision open for the incoming governor to reconsider.
While there are currently no active mining projects in the area, Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, a subsidiary of Antofagasta Minerals, has been pursuing mining activities for copper, nickel, and other valuable metals in the national forest since 2019. The company asserts that its mining operations can be conducted in an environmentally responsible manner, with no waste rock stored above ground to prevent potential acid contamination.
Concerns have been raised about the potential environmental impact of mining activities in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, especially in relation to water pollution. In response to these concerns, 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.
The governor also directed the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to develop legislation that would ban nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed. This move has drawn criticism from U.S. Representative Pete Stauber, a Republican, who accused Walz of jeopardizing the economic interests of northern Minnesota.
Becky Rom, chairperson of the advocacy group Save the Boundary Waters, commended Governor Walz for taking action to protect the region’s natural resources. Meanwhile, legal expert James Coleman highlighted the uncertainty that Walz’s order introduces to potential mining projects, emphasizing the complex and lengthy approval processes involved in such endeavors.
