Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Tuesday that the state will not be processing or reviewing permits for proposed mining ventures in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, following the federal ban lift by the U.S. Congress and the Trump administration four months earlier.
The wilderness area, located along the Minnesota-Canada border in the Superior National Forest, attracts numerous outdoor enthusiasts such as canoeists, kayakers, and campers annually. Governor Walz, a Democrat, emphasized the importance of preserving the area in its pristine and untouched state.
Although Walz’s executive order has a limited duration until April, expiring 90 days after his term ends, subsequent governors could potentially maintain it. Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, a subsidiary of Antofagasta Minerals based in Chile, has been pushing for mining activities in the national forest since 2019, focusing on extracting copper, nickel, and other valuable metals with a commitment to minimizing environmental impact.
Concerns have been raised about potential pollution from mining activities near the canoe area, particularly downstream from the proposed mine site. President Trump’s approval of lifting the federal mining ban in 2023 was aimed at job creation and boosting the mining sector.
Under Walz’s order, Minnesota regulators will not participate in federal environmental reviews of nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed connected to the Boundary Waters. Additionally, the state will refrain from conducting environmental assessments or permitting work on mining proposals during ongoing legal disputes over state mining regulations.
In response to the governor’s actions, Republican U.S. Representative Pete Stauber criticized Walz, accusing him of jeopardizing the region’s livelihood and erasing years of thorough environmental analysis and significant investment with swift decisions.
Becky Rom, chair of the advocacy group Save the Boundary Waters, commended Governor Walz for his stance, highlighting the incompatibility of copper mining with the Boundary Waters’ ecosystem. University of Minnesota law school professor James Coleman noted that Walz’s order introduces uncertainty for potential projects, emphasizing the lengthy and complex approval processes that could be impacted by changing political landscapes at the state and federal levels.
