Senate Vote Lifts Mining Ban Near Boundary Waters

The US Senate has narrowly voted to reverse a long-standing mining ban affecting land near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The decision benefits Twin Metals, a subsidiary of Chilean mining company Antofagasta. (Photo: Ely Chamber of Commerce)

In a 50–49 vote, lawmakers overturned a 20-year restriction protecting roughly 225,000 acres of the Superior National Forest, according to a report by AlterNet.

The decision benefits Twin Metals, a subsidiary of Chilean mining company Antofagasta. Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota opposed the measure, warning of environmental risks and foreign involvement in mineral processing.

A 2022 US Forest Service review found that sulfide-ore copper mining in the area could cause significant environmental harm, and public comments overwhelmingly supported maintaining protections.

The measure was passed using the Congressional Review Act, limiting the ability of future administrations to reinstate similar protections.