Senate Overturns Boundary Waters Mining Protections

The vote clears the way for a Chilean mining company to access copper and other minerals in the Superior National Forest near the protected wilderness area.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:51pm

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A serene oil painting depicting a lone canoe drifting on a still lake, surrounded by the dense, shadowy forests of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The warm, golden light of the setting sun casts long shadows across the water, creating a sense of quiet contemplation.A tranquil scene from the Boundary Waters, a beloved wilderness area now facing an uncertain future due to a contentious Senate vote to allow mining nearby.Duluth Today

The Senate has voted 50-49 to overturn a 20-year mining moratorium in Minnesota's Superior National Forest, a move that benefits a Chilean mining company subsidiary and deals a blow to environmentalists seeking to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The vote came despite objections from Democrats and two Republicans, who warned of the potential for toxic pollution in the country's most visited wilderness area.

Why it matters

The Boundary Waters is a federally protected wilderness area that has been the subject of a long-running battle over mining in the surrounding Superior National Forest. Environmental groups have argued that any mining activity in the area could lead to the pollution of the Boundary Waters, while proponents of the mine say it can be done responsibly. This vote represents a major victory for the mining company and a setback for conservation efforts.

The details

The Senate vote overturned a mining moratorium imposed by President Joe Biden in 2023, clearing the way for a long-stalled mine project proposed by Twin Metals Minnesota, a subsidiary of Chilean mining conglomerate Antofagasta. The mine seeks to access copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum buried deep under the Superior National Forest, which borders the Boundary Waters. While the mine site itself is outside the Boundary Waters, opponents argue it would inevitably lead to toxic spills into the protected wilderness area.

  • The Senate voted 50-49 on April 16, 2026 to overturn the mining moratorium.
  • President Joe Biden imposed the 20-year mining moratorium in 2023.

The players

Twin Metals Minnesota

A subsidiary of Chilean mining conglomerate Antofagasta that has proposed a mine project to access copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum in the Superior National Forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

A federally protected wilderness area in northeastern Minnesota bordering Canada, established by a 1978 law. The nearly 2,000 lakes spanning 1.1 million acres are mostly off-limits to motorized vehicles.

President Joe Biden

Imposed a 20-year mining moratorium in the Superior National Forest in 2023, which was overturned by the Senate vote.

Rep. Pete Stauber

A Republican Congressman from Minnesota's 8th Congressional District who pushed the resolution to overturn the mining moratorium.

Save the Boundary Waters

An advocacy group that has fought to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from mining activities in the surrounding Superior National Forest.

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What they’re saying

“A major victory for America and Minnesota's 8th Congressional District was secured today. The Senate just passed my bill to reverse Biden's illegal mining ban in the Superior National Forest – it's now headed to the President's desk!”

— Rep. Pete Stauber, Republican Congressman

“Today is a dark day for America's most beloved Wilderness area, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and a stark warning call for public lands nationwide. Minnesotans and the American public writ large have been loud and clear — this iconic place needs to be protected. Today, by the very people who claim to represent them, they were ignored, and even worse, silenced.”

— Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director, Save the Boundary Waters

“Enjoying the Minnesotan/Canadian wilderness by canoe or other lesser watercraft is one of our nations greatest available pastimes, and one I have personally enjoyed my entire life. We must protect these public lands from the rapacious capitalists threatening to turn them into a poisoned wasteland.”

— Nick Offerman

What’s next

President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill overturning the mining moratorium.

The takeaway

This vote highlights the ongoing tensions between environmental protection and resource extraction on public lands. While proponents argue the mining can be done responsibly, opponents warn of the risks of irreparable damage to the Boundary Waters, one of America's most iconic wilderness areas. The outcome could set a precedent for future battles over mining and conservation on federal lands.