Mining Near Boundary Waters Wilderness
Issue tracker and action guide
Summary
The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are advancing sulfide-ore copper mining by a Chilean company near Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).
What's Happening
Executive Order Signed: Trump signed an executive order in March to fast-track mineral extraction on federal lands and avoid existing environmental protections.
Congressional Action - Defeated: A U.S. House panel approved legislation to overturn a 20-year mining moratorium in the Superior National Forest. The House's mining provision near Boundary Waters was removed from Trumps "big, beautiful" bill, meaning it won’t proceed in the Senate.
Threat Remains: Despite the setback, the administration announced their intention to pursue lifting the moratorium unilaterally via executive action.
Why It Matters
Pollution Threat: Conservation groups warn that the project could cause acid mine drainage that contaminates the Boundary Waters.
A Special Place: The BWCAW spans 1,090,000 acres of forests, glacial lakes and streams. It includes over 455,000 acres of old growth forest, 1,100 lakes, and hundreds of miles of streams.
Pristine Waters: The Boundary Waters possesses pristine water quality—among the cleanest water in the state—according to a 2021 report by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
How To Help
Organizations To Support: Multiple local organizations are working to oppose these actions including: Friends of the Boundary Waters, Save the Boundary Waters, and Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters.
