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 Minnesota’s border with Canada in the Superior National Forest, located just south of Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario. The region is a popular destination for thousands of outdoor enthusiasts who engage in activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and camping each year.
Governor Walz, a member of the Democratic party, emphasized the importance of preserving the wilderness in its natural state, stating, “It is our responsibility as Minnesotans to protect this sacred place and ensure it remains untouched and pristine.”
Although Governor Walz’s executive order is temporary and set to expire in April, the next governor could choose to uphold it. One of the mining companies interested in the area is Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, a subsidiary of Antofagasta Minerals based in Chile. The company has been exploring the possibility of mining for copper, nickel, and other valuable metals in the national forest since 2019, assuring that their operations would be environmentally conscious.
There are concerns that mining activities near the canoe area could lead to environmental pollution, especially since the mine site is close to the Boundary Waters.
In April, President Trump signed a resolution lifting the federal moratorium on mining in the forest, citing job creation and industry growth as reasons for the decision. Governor Walz’s order also prohibits Minnesota regulators from participating in federal environmental reviews of nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed, which is connected to the Boundary Waters.
Furthermore, the state will refrain from conducting environmental reviews or issuing permits for mining projects while legal disputes over state mining regulations are ongoing. Governor Walz has also called for legislation to ban nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed.
In response to the governor’s actions, U.S. Representative Pete Stauber, a Republican, criticized the move, accusing Walz of waging a “war on northern Minnesota and our way of life.” However, Becky Rom, chairperson of the advocacy group Save the Boundary Waters, commended Governor Walz for his decision, stating that copper mining and the Boundary Waters cannot coexist safely.
James Coleman, a professor at the University of Minnesota law school, highlighted the increased uncertainty for proposed mining projects due to Governor Walz’s order, noting that political shifts at the state or federal level could impact the approval process and timeline for such ventures.