Stay up-to-date on proposed mining projects near the BWCAW and Superior National Forest, including the latest updates on Twin Metals and PolyMet, permitting status, court challenges, possible threats to the north woods environment, communities, air and water quality. See the map for locations and proximity to wilderness areas and watersheds.
TOP MINING STORIES:
Federal government restores mineral leases in Boundary Waters watershed
Twin Metals is getting mineral leases back that it lost in 2016, as the Trump administration continues to reverse Obama-era decisions.
Officials withdraw change to wild rice protections, will restart work on sulfate standard
After being ruled too vague to protect rice or provide certainty to industries, state scientists will try to come up with a clearer way to implement research findings.
Freemans embark on bike ride to Washington, D.C. — with a canoe in tow
Married adventurers and advocates for mining protection are on their way to the capital to raise awareness of the Boundary Waters and its threats.
Threat of mining pollution puts Boundary Waters on annual list of threatened rivers
American Rivers has named the wilderness waters to its list for a second time in five years as critical decisions loom.
PolyMet says mine proposal has become less profitable
Rising costs and falling metal prices shed doubts on economic viability of the mine proposal.
From mercury to manoomin, sulfate causes ecological ripples in Minnesota waters
Common chemical in industrial discharges has far-reaching effects on lakes, rivers, and the plants that live in them.
Poll finds growing statewide opposition to copper-nickel mining near Boundary Waters
Seventy percent of registered voters oppose mine proposals that threaten to pollute canoe country.
Government to conduct abbreviated review of mining in wilderness watershed
Forest Service scales back analysis of proposed mining moratorium over objections of Boundary Waters advocates.
Writer: Ely area’s copper deposits have been controversial for decades
Newspaper reporter remembers formative years in Ely, learning about the conflict over copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters.
Twin Metals legislation passes House, Senate support seems elusive
A bill restoring mineral rights near the Boundary Waters squeaked through the House of Representatives last week, but doesn’t yet have a Senate author.
Legislation making mining easier in northern Minnesota moves forward in Congress
Two bills seeking to speed up the Twin Metals and PolyMet mine proposals are being voted on this week in Washington, D.C.
Scientific research released on connections between mining pollution and wild rice
State-sponsored studies sought to improve understanding of the complex ways sulfate harms the iconic plant.
Report: Robots are replacing miners around the world — could automation affect Minnesota jobs?
Automation is revolutionizing the mining industry, quickly reducing employment and the potential economic impact of proposals in northern Minnesota.
Ely’s mining debate featured in the New York Times Magazine
Writer profiles the long-lasting conflict between wilderness proponents and mine workers.
Minnesota proposes new standard to protect wild rice from mining pollution
After years of debate, scientists recommend a complex equation to calculate how much sulfate is safe to discharge into waters where wild rice grows.
Minnesota lawmakers attempt to stop Superior National Forest mining study
The bipartisan effort was met by bipartisan opposition as Congress wrestled with proposal to withdraw lands in the wilderness watershed from mineral exploration.
Mondale calls for protection of Boundary Waters from mining
Lifelong statesman and environmentalist argues canoe country is too precious to risk polluting with mine runoff.
Three more days to comment on proposal to block mining near the Boundary Waters
Communications error results in extension of deadline to weigh in on withdrawing public lands from mining next to the wilderness.
Twin Metals Owner Revealed as Ivanka Trump’s Washington, D.C. Landlord
Chilean billionaire suing to advance a proposed mine next to the Boundary Waters also owns the first daughter’s house.
Business coalition calls for Boundary Waters protection
Two hundred business large and small have signed on to a new campaign to protect canoe country and its economic benefits.