Mining, environmental groups shift focus after Senate vote
Mining advocates say Twin Metals is expected to move forward with plans for a copper-nickel mine in the Rainy River Watershed following the U.S. Senate’s passage of House Joint Resolution 140.
Environmental advocates, meanwhile, are turning to state lawmakers, urging stronger action on an issue that has seen limited movement at the state level.
The permitting process for a new mine can take decades.
“On average, it takes nearly 30 years to permit a new mine in the US,” Ryan Sistad, Executive Director of Better in Our Backyard told WTIP. “We still got a long road ahead of us where we could still at least be a decade away before there’s any type of new mining taking place.”
Despite the lengthy process, some environmental advocates say they are not confident it will adequately protect the Boundary Water
“The DNR has a mandate to promote mining — that’s part of its directive — so the scales are weighted in that sense,” Pete Marshall, Communications Director of Save the Boundary Waters, said. “It’s hard to see how regulations could guarantee some kind of ‘safe mine,’ when that’s, one, an oxymoron, and two, there’s a directive to promote mining within the state.”
Organizations such as Friends of the Boundary Waters are citing polling showing that Minnesotans support protections for the wilderness as they push state lawmakers to act.
While some Democratic-Farmer-Labor legislators have introduced related bills, there has been little movement to bring them to the House or Senate floor.
With 68% of Minnesotans supporting protections and mining proposals advancing through the permitting process, advocates say pressure on lawmakers could increase.
All Minnesota House and Senate seats, along with the governor’s office, are up for election this year.
WTIP spoke to Sistand and Marshall regarding their reactions to House Joint Resolution 140 and the future of the fight for the Boundary Waters. The audio of those interviews is below.
Josh Hinke April 22, 2026
