Senate Republicans Send Trump Resolution to Lift Mining Ban Near Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Measure aims to clear way for South American company to extract precious metals from Minnesota wilderness

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:18pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene landscape painting of a lone canoe floating on a still lake surrounded by dense pine forests, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a contemplative mood.The tranquil waters of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness face an uncertain future as political battles over mining rights intensify.Duluth Today

Congressional Republicans have sent President Donald Trump a resolution that would lift a federal ban on mining near Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, hoping to clear the way for a South American company to extract precious metals from the region's pristine forests, lakes and bogs. The Senate voted 50-49 to send the measure to Trump for his signature, despite warnings from Democrats and conservationists that the move would lead to devastating pollution in one of the country's last remaining wild areas.

Why it matters

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a beloved natural treasure in Minnesota, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year to its pristine forests, lakes and bogs. Lifting the mining ban could open the door to a major mining operation that critics say would pollute the watershed and damage the delicate ecosystem, threatening the area's wildlife and the Chippewa tribal culture that relies on the land.

The details

The resolution would lift a 20-year moratorium on mining across 400 square miles of the Superior National Forest, which includes the Boundary Waters area. A subsidiary of Chile-based Antofagasta Minerals, Twin Metals Minnesota, has proposed a $1.7 billion underground copper, nickel and precious metals mine in the national forest. The company argues the mine would create hundreds of union jobs and tax revenue, but environmentalists warn it would lead to mercury and sulfide pollution that would devastate the wilderness.

  • In January 2026, U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber introduced the resolution to lift the mining moratorium.
  • The Senate voted 50-49 to send the resolution to President Trump on April 16, 2026.

The players

President Donald Trump

The current president who is expected to sign the resolution lifting the mining ban.

Twin Metals Minnesota LLC

A subsidiary of Chile-based Antofagasta Minerals that has proposed a $1.7 billion underground copper, nickel and precious metals mine in the Superior National Forest near the Boundary Waters.

Amy Klobuchar

A Minnesota senator who has supported iron mining in the past but is now running for Minnesota governor and opposes lifting the mining ban near the Boundary Waters.

Tina Smith

A Minnesota senator who warned that Republicans were ignoring Minnesotans who don't want to see the Boundary Waters wilderness area destroyed.

Pete Stauber

A Republican U.S. representative from Duluth, Minnesota who introduced the resolution to lift the mining moratorium, arguing it has cost Minnesota jobs and put the country's mineral security at risk.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You can support mining, but that does not mean you support every mine in every place.”

— Tina Smith, U.S. Senator

“With this Project, Minnesota can be a model for modern, sustainable and environmentally and socially responsible mining.”

— Twin Metals Minnesota LLC

What’s next

President Trump is expected to sign the resolution lifting the mining ban, but even without the moratorium it could be years before a mine opens as Twin Metals would still need to obtain numerous permits from state officials. Environmental groups could also challenge any permits in court, potentially blocking construction for years.

The takeaway

This vote highlights the ongoing tension between economic development and environmental protection, with Republicans prioritizing job creation and mineral security while Democrats and conservationists warn of the risks of mining in the delicate Boundary Waters ecosystem. The issue has become a flashpoint of contention between the state of Minnesota and the Trump administration.