Stauber, state lawmakers criticize Walz mining executive order

Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber hosted a group of state lawmakers and local mayors Wednesday to voice opposition to Gov. Tim Walz’s executive order restricting nonferrous mining in the Rainy River headwaters.

Stauber has been an advocate for the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel project. He sponsored House Joint Resolution 140, which overturned a Biden administration mineral withdrawal that had restricted mining on federal land in the watershed and stalled the Twin Metals project.

“We are gathered here today to vehemently oppose Governor Walz’s executive order,” Stauber said. “It’s an attack on Northern Minnesota. It’s an attack on the Iron Range. It’s attack on our union workers. It’s an attack on our communities.”

State Rep. Roger Skraba cited the Eagle Mine in Michigan as an example of copper-nickel mining that he believes demonstrates the practice can be done safely. He also directed a message toward Boundary Waters outfitters who oppose mining in the watershed.

“The outfitters that are like, ‘Oh joy, they’re not going to be mining.’ Yeah, we are going to mine. We are. In the end, we will mine,” Skraba said.

Babbitt Mayor Andrea Zupancich, the Republican-endorsed challenger to state Sen. Grant Hauschild, cited the economic effects of the July lightning fires on tourism businesses as evidence that the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness tourism industry alone cannot support workers in northern Minnesota.

“We all have seen what the fires recently have done to Ely’s tourism right now. Everyone is hurting, and this is the time they’re supposed to be making their money,” Zupancich said. “I’ve been through five fires now in my time, and the mines have never shut down. They’ve always kept working.”

State Sen. Keri Heintzman also spoke, calling Walz a “failed governor.”

“I know folks up here are frustrated that Democrats continue to use their livelihoods for these political games,” Heintzman said. “Whoever holds that office next needs to prioritize building up northern Minnesota’s economy and supporting the families who call this area home.”

During the 2026 legislative session, Heintzman introduced an amendment to an appropriations bill that removed funding for the Friends of the Boundary Waters outdoor education program.

Stauber took questions at the end of the news conference and emphasized the role Minnesota’s next governor could play in determining the future of the executive order. Under the order, its directives expire 90 days after Walz leaves office unless they are extended or otherwise continued.

Josh Hinke August 20, 2026