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:
Dayton Opposes Copper Mining in Boundary Waters Watershed
Governor of Minnesota tells Twin Metals he will block mining activity on state lands near the wilderness.
Major Mining Milestone: Final Environmental Review Released for PolyMet Proposal
Public comments will be accepted until Dec. 14 on the controversial copper mine.
Minnesota Student Studies “Best-Case Scenario” for Proposed Copper Mine
Award-winning science fair project explores a Wisconsin mine’s disputed legacy as PolyMet permitting approaches.
PolyMet’s Pollution Would be Pointed at the Boundary Waters
Discovery of incorrect data conflicts with assumption that contaminated discharge would flow toward Lake Superior.
Next Adventure for Ely Couple Will Be Living in the Boundary Waters for a Year
Starting in September, pair plan to camp, travel, and educate from the wilderness for 12 months in an effort to help protect it.
New Draft Completed of PolyMet’s Environmental Impact Statement
Detailed analysis of the proposed copper-nickel mine will now be reviewed by tribes and other authorities.
Rep. McCollum Seeks Legislation To Halt New Mining in BWCAW And Voyageurs Watersheds
Congresswoman announces bill to revoke federal mineral leases in Rainy River basin.
Boy With Leukemia Makes a Wish to Protect the Boundary Waters
Sick teenager asks federal officials to prevent mining from polluting canoe country.
How Humans Affect the Boundary Waters’ Woods
Researcher Lee Frelich says wilderness forests are being changed in several ways.
Top Tweets, Video From Minnesota Legislature’s Mining Hearing
Mining advocates and opponents made their case to a House committee and a packed room.
State of the Boundary Waters and Paddling to DC – Wilderness News Fall Winter 2014 Issue
Cover Story: How will proposed mining, climate change, invasive species, nutrient loading, and algal blooms change the border lakes? The Quetico-Superior region of Minnesota and Canada bring to mind lake country—a landscape characterized by glacier carved lakes filled with clear, cold and clean water. Yet the list of possible impacts on northern Minnesota water quality is long: proposed mining, climate change, invasive species, nutrient loading, and algal blooms to name just a few…
Boundary Waters Advocates Seek Anti-Mining Signatures
Group hopes to deliver at least 50,000 signatures urging protection of the Boundary Waters and businesses that depend on it.
Chilean Conglomerate Rescues Kawishiwi River Mine
Antofagasta will control 100 percent of the massive copper-nickel mine proposal next to the Boundary Waters.
Protecting Our Wild Rice Heritage
Evaluating Minnesota’s water sulfate standard for wild rice. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is reviewing its standards for protecting wild rice in Minnesota. With funding from the Minnesota State Legislature, the agency conducted a two-year study to determine how sulfate—the presence of which in water has been linked to an absence of wild rice—and other chemicals affect the health of wild rice.
Parsing Public Opinion Of Polymet Mine Proposal
Comments on the copper-nickel mine’s environmental review and a new statewide poll are helping gauge where people stand.
Mining Company Says Twin Metals Project Is a Profitable Proposal
Study finds that copper-nickel mine next to the Boundary Waters is financially feasible.
Major Twin Metals Partner Declines To Increase Stake in Project
Mine proposal near the Boundary Waters loses significant source of funding. Chilean mining company Antofagasta PLC has declined an opportunity to take a bigger financial stake in the Twin Metals project near Ely, MN. The move means the company—which has invested more than $200 million in the joint venture so far—will pass up the chance for a controlling stake in the project, and operations will revert to junior mining company Duluth Metals.
Broad Mining Environmental Review Proposed for Superior National Forest
Northern Minnesota politicians strongly oppose potential study under consideration by Forest Service.
Wild Rice Study Sidelined at Last Minute
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency changes plan to announce recommendations for regulating discharges from mines and other facilities.