The Chilean company Franconia Minerals, a subsidiary of Twin Metals, recently submitted a proposal to the Minnesota DNR to begin exploratory drilling for metallic minerals near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. If the project moves forward, the company will gain the right to explore state and private land adjoining Birch Lake, south of Ely. Environmentalists and other groups oppose the plan. They argue it is an early step toward mining that would cause pollution and damage wilderness areas.
Identify mineral deposits
A subsidiary of Twin Metals Minnesota, Franconia Minerals has submitted a proposal to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to conduct exploratory drilling for metallic minerals near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). If the proposal is approved, the plan includes drilling up to nineteen sites.
These sites would include public and private land located 9 miles south of Ely and adjacent to Birch Lake. By doing so, they would collect data on mineral content and ore grades. This information could help develop a future mining complex in an area popular with recreationalists and homeowners.
“The goal is to further develop our understanding of our mineral deposits in the area that we haven’t studied as extensively as some others,” said Twin Metals spokesperson Kathy Graul in an interview with MPR News.
Graul explained that the drilling bores would go deep beneath Birch Lake. She emphasized that Twin Metals is still ‘far from earning permits’ to build a mine.
The company plans to use existing roads to access these areas. Furthermore, they may also build temporary access roads or trails to reach some drill sites. This could include wetlands, which the company says it would conduct only when the ground is frozen. To access private land, they would request permission from the landowners.
Not the first drilling proposal
For the past decade, the debate over whether to build a copper-nickel mine just outside the BWCAW has been hotly contested at the state, local, and federal levels. Twin Metals continues to seek reinstatement of two mineral leases to mine copper, nickel, cobalt, and platinum group metals within the Superior National Forest. The proposed underground mine site would sit along the northeastern edge of Birch Lake near the confluence of the South Kawishiwi River.
This proposal is not Franconia’s first. In 2023, the company submitted an exploratory drilling plan to the DNR. The DNR approved that plan despite opposition from clean-water groups and tribal governments.
Now the company has returned with another proposal. Once the DNR receives it, they have up to 20 days to review it. They will decide whether to include any changes or conditions.
Copper-nickel mining has never been done here
Conservationists oppose the plan, arguing that this type of mining is dangerous. They say that waste rock could release toxins and heavy metals. As a result, these pollutants could contaminate watersheds flowing north into the wilderness and beyond.
“This exploratory drilling proposal is a precursor to copper mining underneath Birch Lake, which flows directly into the Wilderness,” said Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director of Save the Boundary Waters. “This continuation of exploratory drilling serves as an important reminder: the threat posed by copper mining in this special place is far from gone, and the entire watershed of the Boundary Waters—particularly state land—needs permanent protection from copper mining, not just federal lands.”
Area recreationalists and homeowners also frequent Birch Lake. The White Iron Chain of Lakes Association (WICOLA) has long pledged to monitor plans for all mining activities. Their mission statement includes: “We will closely review the plans of Twin Metals and other proposed projects that potentially degrade our water environment and will act to promote clean water.”
Currently, a 20-year ban restricts new mining leases within the national forest. This includes the area where Twin Metals, which owns Franconia Minerals, plans exploratory drilling. However, the Trump administration is working to reverse that order, which could allow copper-nickel mining activity to move forward. If the DNR approves the latest proposal, exploratory drilling could begin. The authorization would last until March 31, 2027.
More info:
- Exploration plan submitted by Franconia Minerals (US) LLC on November 6, 2025
- Twin Metals seeks to continue copper exploration near Boundary Waters – MPR News
- Mineral exploration compliance – Minnesota DNR