Conservationists oppose lifted mining restrictions in Boundary Waters

Conservationists and mining groups are reacting to President Trump's recent executive order that lifts mining restrictions across the United States. This decision has raised concerns, particularly for the Boundary Waters, a protected area in Minnesota. Ingrid Lyons, from the nonprofit Save the Boundary Waters, expressed her fears. She believes the executive order is a threat to public lands, stating it benefits corporate interests over the public. The order aims to increase mining for uranium, gold, and copper, reversing protections that were put in place during the Biden Administration. Julie Lucas, Executive Director of Mining Minnesota, has a different perspective. She appreciates the government's recognition of mining opportunities but is uncertain about the impact in Minnesota. Lucas emphasized that any future projects will still go through environmental regulations, as they are important for protecting the environment. Lyons plans to challenge any new mining projects in court. She argues that the Boundary Waters is not suitable for copper mining, given the extensive studies showing negative impacts on the ecosystem. Trump's order encourages identifying new mining projects quickly, beginning with a ten-day deadline to select priorities.