Minnesota Governor Halts Mining Permit Processes 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 decision comes four months after the federal ban was lifted by Congress and the previous administration.

The Boundary Waters area spans approximately 150 miles within the Superior National Forest, along Minnesota’s border with Canada. It attracts thousands of outdoor enthusiasts annually.

“It’s our duty as Minnesotans to ensure the sacred place remains wild, pristine, and unharmed,” Walz stated.

Walz’s executive order is temporary and will expire by next April, 90 days after his term ends. The subsequent governor could choose to extend it. Presently, no mining projects are prepared to begin, although Twin Metals Minnesota LLC is interested in extracting copper and nickel in the area. The company claims it can operate without storing waste rock above ground, thus reducing pollution risks.

In April, President Trump signed legislation that lifted a federal mining ban on this forest. He argued it would create jobs and boost the industry.

Walz’s order prevents state regulators from participating in federal environmental reviews of nonferrous mining within the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed, connected to the Boundary Waters. It also halts state-led environmental reviews or permitting amid ongoing litigation on mining regulations. Furthermore, Walz urged the Department of Natural Resources to propose legislation to ban such mining in the watershed.

Republican U.S. Representative Pete Stauber criticized Walz’s decision, viewing it as harmful to Northern Minnesota. Conversely, Becky Rom, head of Save the Boundary Waters, commended the governor, emphasizing the risks of copper mining to the area.

James Coleman, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, noted that the order introduces uncertainty to any potential projects. Federal and state approval is often necessary for such projects, which require years to complete. Political changes could further challenge their advancement.