The Biden administration continues to pursue a study that may impact mining projects at the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and surrounding watershed in northeastern Minnesota.
Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the area was vital and future mining should only be done with public support, according to a Bureau of Land Management press release.
“The Boundary Waters area is an irreplaceable natural resource renowned for high quality fishing, wildlife viewing, and recreational opportunities,” Vilsack said. “I have asked the Forest Service to work with the Bureau of Land Management to complete a careful environmental analysis and engage the public on whether future mining should be authorized on any federal land adjacent to this spectacular and unique wilderness resource.”
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness comprises roughly a million acres and a permit is required to enter the wilderness area. Self-issued permits are needed from Oct. 1-April 30. A quota permit is required from May 1-Sept. 30 for overnight trips or day use motorized trips, according to the USDA.
The study could impact the Twin Metals copper mining project.
"Twin Metals Minnesota is deeply disappointed with the federal government’s action to initiate a mineral withdrawal study yet again on nearly 230,000 acres of land in northeast Minnesota, which sits on top of the world’s largest known undeveloped copper-nickel deposit,” the company stated in a press release. "We are firmly dedicated to the communities of northeast Minnesota and to advancing a sustainable mining project that will bring much-needed economic growth to our region, in addition to the opportunity to responsibly develop the critical minerals needed for our global efforts in combating the climate crisis."
