Minnesota Governor Halts Mining Permits Near Boundary Waters
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced that the state will not review or process permits for proposed mining projects near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This comes four months after federal restrictions were lifted by Congress and the Trump administration.
The Boundary Waters, a protected area of roughly 150 miles in the Superior National Forest, is located along Minnesota’s border with Canada. Each year, thousands of individuals visit the area for outdoor activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and camping. Governor Walz emphasized the importance of preserving the wilderness, stating, “It’s our duty as Minnesotans to ensure the sacred place remains wild, pristine and unharmed.”
Governor Walz’s executive order may be short-lived; it is set to expire 90 days after he steps down from office next April, although a future governor could renew it. Currently, no projects are ready to begin. However, Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, a subsidiary of Antofagasta Minerals, has shown interest since 2019 in mining for copper, nickel, and other precious metals in the area. The company claims it can conduct mining without storing waste rock above ground, thereby reducing potential acid drainage. There are environmental concerns about potential pollution as the proposed mining site is located just upstream from the canoe area.
The lifting of the federal moratorium by President Trump in April was seen as a move to create jobs and boost the mining industry. Despite this, Governor Walz’s order states that Minnesota regulators will abstain from participating as cooperating agencies in federal environmental reviews for nonferrous mining in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed, associated with the Boundary Waters. The state will also pause any environmental reviews or permitting actions amid ongoing litigation over state mining regulations.
Additionally, Governor Walz has tasked the Department of Natural Resources with drafting legislation that would ban nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed. This measure has met with criticism and support. Republican U.S. Representative Pete Stauber accused Walz of engaging in a “war on Northern Minnesota and our way of life.” Conversely, Becky Rom, chair of Save the Boundary Waters, commended the action, stating, “The science is clear: copper mining and the Boundary Waters cannot safely coexist.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar has not provided an immediate comment. Republican gubernatorial nominee Lisa Demuth believes mining can be safely conducted and highlighted the necessity of critical minerals, stating, “And they’re going to come from someplace.”
James Coleman, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, noted that Walz’s order introduces uncertainty to prospective projects. “If you need federal approval, you probably need state approval,” he explained. “These projects take many years to complete. Partisan politics may flip at the state or federal level, and it can be hard to get a project to the finish line.”