Unions pushed back on Gov. Tim Walz’s executive order banning nonferrous mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Derek Pederson, president of the North East Area Labor Council, issued a statement saying it “stands in opposition” ot the order. “Our union siblings on the Iron Range have built and operated the mines that have operated safely and responsibly for over a century, and this action halts even the opportunity to evaluate the next generation of Minnesota mining.”

Pederson said the council “stands in solidarity” with union members on the Iron Range “in their disappointment with this executive action.” 

Walz said his order definitively ends that fight that’s been playing out in courtrooms, regulatory offices, the state Legislature and the halls of Congress. If it stands, it would likely kill a proposed project from Twin Metals — a subsidiary of the Chilean mining conglomerate Antofagasta — which wants to extract copper, nickel, cobalt and other valuable metals from underground veins near Ely and Babbitt, about a dozen miles from the wilderness area.
It bars the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency undertaking any environmental reviews or permitting any work associated with nonferrous — or non-iron ore — mining in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed.

State permits are required for all mining projects in Minnesota, even on federal lands, meaning the ban aims to be impervious to the Trump administration’s attempts to fast-track mining in the area.

It also bars the DNR from offering any new state nonferrous mineral leases in the watershed and from formally partnering with the federal government on review of any proposals.

Bernie Burnham, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, said in a statement that mining has become a wedge issue. “We are disappointed that Governor Walz’s order adds to that chaos,” she said. “Minnesota has some of the strongest labor and environmental regulations in the world, especially when it comes to mining. In fact, the Department of Natural Resources recently concluded, following a six-year process, that our state’s regulations and permitting procedures are strong enough to protect our waters from any potential nonferrous mining impact.”
Individual unions also expressed disappointment in the action.

"Minnesotans deserve a consistent, fair and science-based approach to issuing environmental permits,” said Ryan Davies, Operating Engineers Local 49 business manager, in a statement. "After supporting the governor for many years, I was disappointed in this morning’s announcement. Looking back at all the accomplishments under his leadership, like Paid Family Medical Leave, Earned Sick and Safe Time, bonding bills, pipelines, a plan for carbon neutrality by 2050, and more, it's hard to watch us step backward when we need new business to create good-paying jobs and support the programs our state offers."

“By doing a 180 today, Governor Walz is playing political football with our members’ livelihoods and the well-being of Northern Minnesota communities,” said Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota. “This Executive Order contradicts the findings of Walz’s own DNR. You can't say follow the process and then shut it down for political gain.”
 
“We know how to build and operate mines safely and responsibly,” added Shawn Braford, LIUNA Local 1097 business manager. “This decision is a slap in the face of our union and region.”

This article contains information from the Minnesota Reformer.