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.
-
Lorie Shaull/Special to KAXEThe library matched the anonymous matching donation for $30,000 it received in June 2026. A larger fundraising goal is aimed at increasing public hours in 2027. -
Contributed/University of Wisconsin-Madison Space Science and Engineering CenterDue to smoke from Boundary Waters wildfires, the MPCA issued air quality alerts for large parts of Minnesota. The alert lasts until at least Friday, July 16, 2026. -
And: An Aitkin peat processor fined for air pollution control violations. -
Contributed/National Weather Service Forecast Office DuluthWhile it is expected to cool off slightly on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, temperatures will stay high enough that additional heat advisories may be put in place. -
Contributed/via InciWebNearly 9,000 acres are estimated to be burning in the BWCA as of July 13, 2026, and the closure is for public safety. The Boundary Waters is not expected to fully reopen this summer. -
Lorie Shaull/Special to KAXESevere drought is present in at least 11% of Minnesota and another 18% is in moderate drought. The drought conditions are mostly seen in Northern Minnesota. -
Contributed/RDNE Stock project via PexelsPrairie Pines Childcare Center, the Northland Foundation and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation were awarded grants from the state Department of Employment and Economic Development. -
Even with green plants and recent rainfall, large portions of the Northland are classified as in moderate or severe drought.
-
And: Four Northland organizations recieve child care grants; men encouraged to wear sunscreen and get skin checks; and Eveleth plans to replace the "Big Stick."
-
Contributed/InciWebThe U.S. Forest Service is also banning campfires amid dry conditions. The closures and campfire ban go into effect July 11, 2026.
