Walz Boundary Waters Mining Order Sparks Political Debate

Governor Tim Walz has signed an executive order stopping state review and permitting work for proposed copper-nickel mining in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed near the Boundary Waters.

The order directs the Minnesota D-N-R and Pollution Control Agency to halt that work until pending litigation and related rulemaking are resolved. It also blocks new state mineral and surface leases in the watershed.

The action follows the federal government’s repeal of a 20-year mineral-leasing restriction covering more than 225-thousand acres of the Superior National Forest.

Democratic Senator Tina Smith supports the order, saying Minnesota is a mining state—but the Boundary Waters watershed is the wrong place for this project. She also supports legislation blocking copper-sulfide mining there.

Republican Congressman Pete Stauber calls the order “job-killing” and says it threatens union jobs on the Iron Range. Republican gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth says Minnesota can mine critical minerals safely and that the review process should continue.

Twin Metals would still need environmental reviews and state and federal permits before construction could begin. The executive order is not a permanent mining ban and could be reversed by a future governor.