ELY — President Donald Trump has officially notified Congress of the Biden administration’s 2023 ban on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
It’s a move 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber, R-Minnesota, said corrects a failure and will pave the way for the state's mineral future.
"This dangerous and illegal mining ban was thrust upon my constituents and our way of life in Northern Minnesota and put our nation’s mineral security in jeopardy," Stauber stated in a news release.
Biden, working with his Department of Interior, implemented the 20-year mining ban across more than 225,000 acres in the Superior National Forest.
Trump’s administration determined the Biden administration failed to properly notify Congress about the ban, according to a news release. Under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the interior secretary is required to notify Congress of such a withdrawal.
Stauber said he plans to introduce a resolution under the Congressional Review Act to nullify Biden’s mineral ban.
“Northern Minnesota mined the iron ore [that] won this nation two World Wars and we will mine the copper, nickel, and other critical minerals that will allow the United States to compete and win in the 21st Century," Stauber stated.
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Contributed/Staples-Motley School DistrictStaples-Motley is asking voters to approve $55 million in new bonds that would replace old debt, thereby not increasing taxes. The money would be used to update both schools. -
Contributed/Minnesota House Public Information ServicesJohn Tobias, 58, of rural Park Rapids, was arraigned Feb. 25, 2026, after allegedly threatening an attack on the state Capitol. -
Contributed/C-SPAN YouTubeGov. Tim Walz describes the move as a "campaign of retribution." -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEVoters will decide on Aitkin's latest attempt to build a new elementary school on April 14, 2026. The new ask is about one-third less than the November 2025 referendum. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEMt. Itasca is hosting Snojam, a snowboarding event, as well as the Redwing Central Division Championships of Ski Jumping Feb. 28-March 1, 2026, in Coleraine. -
The free test kits from the Beltrami County Soil and Water Conservation District check for bacteria, nitrates, lead, arsenic and manganese in private wells. -
Lorie Shaull/ContributedThe DNR adopted new rules in January 2026, changing the previously closed portion of the bass fishing season to catch-and-release, meaning fishing for the species is open year-round. -
Plus: Early voting opens Friday for Aitkin, Staples-Motley referendums; year-round bass season now in place; Beltrami County, Red Lake residents eligible for free well water test kits; boys swimming and diving state meet starts Thursday. -
Chelsey Perkins/KAXEThe state of Minnesota and Fleet Farm filed a settlement in federal court Feb. 24, 2026, in a lawsuit accusing the retailer of enabling straw purchases of firearms. -
Contributed/Hibbing Boys JV & Varsity SwimmingStudent-athletes from 10 rural Northern Minnesota schools will compete at the state swimming and diving meet Feb. 26-28, 2026, in Minneapolis.
