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 the Trump administration.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness spans approximately 240 kilometers along the Minnesota-Canada border within the Superior National Forest, located just south of Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park. It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, including canoeists, kayakers, and campers.
Governor Walz, a Democrat, emphasized the importance of preserving the wilderness in its natural state, stating, “It’s our responsibility as Minnesotans to ensure the protection of this sacred place.”
While Walz’s executive order is temporary and set to expire in April, the next governor could choose to extend it. Currently, there are no imminent mining projects in the area, although Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, a subsidiary of Antofagasta Minerals based in Chile, has been exploring the possibility of mining for copper, nickel, and other metals in the national forest since 2019.
Concerns have been raised about the potential environmental impact of mining activities on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, particularly in terms of water pollution. The mining site is located upstream from the canoe area, raising further environmental concerns.
In April, President Trump signed a resolution lifting the federal moratorium on mining in the forest, citing economic benefits. However, 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.
Additionally, the state will not engage in environmental reviews or permitting for mining proposals while legal disputes over state mining regulations are ongoing. Governor Walz has also called for drafting legislation to ban nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed.
Some critics, such as U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, have condemned Walz’s decision, accusing him of harming the economy of northern Minnesota. However, advocates like Becky Rom, chairperson of Save the Boundary Waters, have lauded the governor’s actions, emphasizing the importance of protecting the region’s clean water and natural beauty.
James Coleman, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, highlighted the increased uncertainty that the governor’s order introduces for potential mining projects, noting the complex and lengthy approval processes involved in such endeavors.