House Advances Resolution to Lift Boundary Waters Mining Ban
Congressional Republicans have advanced a resolution through the House of Representatives to lift a 20-year ban on mining near Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The resolution now moves to the Senate for consideration, and if approved, would go to President Donald Trump for his signature.
The initiative aims to permit a Chilean mining company, Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, to potentially open a copper mine in the Superior National Forest, adjacent to the wilderness area. Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, have expressed concerns that mining operations could contaminate the watershed of this major destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Background on the Mining Ban
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is an extensive region of forests, lakes, and swamps in northeastern Minnesota, bordering Canada. It is characterized by restrictions on logging, aircraft altitude, and motorized boats to maintain its untouched nature.
- Biden Administration's Ban: In 2023, President Joe Biden's administration imposed a 20-year moratorium on mining across approximately 400 square miles (103,600 hectares) in the Superior National Forest. This action was taken to safeguard the watershed and the canoe wilderness.
- Trump Administration's Stance: The Trump administration has sought to increase domestic energy and mineral production. Last fall, it reinstated a 2017 legal opinion that allowed Twin Metals to renew its leases in the Superior National Forest, followed by Minnesota regulators approving exploratory mining plans in December.
Congressional Debate and Vote
U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, a Republican from Duluth, introduced the resolution to overturn the Biden-era moratorium. He stated that the ban has resulted in job losses and jeopardized the nation's mineral security, calling it "a dangerous, purely political decision."
- Republican Arguments: Republicans emphasized the need to open mining near the canoe area to reduce dependence on countries like China and Russia for critical minerals such as cobalt, copper, and nickel.
- Democratic Arguments: Democrats argued that certain areas are too valuable for mining and that any extracted minerals would likely be sold internationally. Rep. Betty McCollum, a Minnesota Democrat, stated, "Some places are just too precious to mine."
The resolution was brought under the Congressional Review Act. Democrats contested its eligibility, arguing it was introduced beyond the 60-day window for overturning federal agency actions and could not be used to remove public land protections. Republicans countered that the Biden administration had not formally notified Congress of the ban in 2023.
The House approved the resolution with a vote of 214-208. Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska voted against it, while Democrat Jared Golden of Maine voted for it. Matthew Schultz, a spokesperson for Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters, noted that the bipartisan nature of the vote indicates broad community interest in protecting the area.
Next Steps
It is currently uncertain when or if the Senate will consider the resolution.