Senator Tina Smith Demands Answers on Sulfide-Ore Mining in Rainy River Watershed

U.S. Senator Tina Smith is pressing the Trump Administration for information about its plans to allow sulfide-ore mining in the Rainy River Watershed, which flows into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The proposed mine, owned by Chilean mining conglomerate Antofagasta, would pose a significant risk to the environment and potentially harm local ecosystems. The mining plan contradicts the U.S. Forest Service's 2022 findings that mining in the area poses a serious risk to the Boundary Waters' integrity. Senator Smith has long advocated for a science-driven process to assess environmental impacts and has introduced legislation to permanently protect the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore mining.

Key Takeaways:

• Senator Tina Smith has written a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, questioning the Administration's recent announcement to allow sulfide-ore mining in the Rainy River Watershed.
• The proposed mine would be owned by Chilean mining conglomerate Antofagasta, a company with a questionable environmental record, and the minerals would be shipped overseas to China.
• The U.S. Forest Service has reaffirmed that mining in the area poses a serious risk to the Boundary Waters' integrity, contradicting the Trump Administration's plan.
• The proposed mine would run counter to the will of Minnesotans, who believe the Boundary Waters should be protected from sulfide-ore copper mining.
• Senator Smith has long pushed for a comprehensive, transparent, science-driven process for assessing environmental impacts associated with mineral development.
• The Boundary Waters is a 1,090,000-acre lake-land wilderness in Superior National Forest of Northern Minnesota, enjoyed by over 150,000 visitors annually, and contributes $77 million to the local economy.
• Senator Smith has introduced legislation to permanently protect the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore mining in the Senate and has successfully stripped language from the President's One Big, Beautiful Bill that would have authorized perpetual leases for Antofagasta.

Statistics:

• The Boundary Waters is a 1,090,000-acre lake-land wilderness in Superior National Forest of Northern Minnesota.
• Over 150,000 visitors enjoy the Boundary Waters annually.
• The Boundary Waters contributes $77 million to the local economy annually.
• 22% of workers in St. Louis, Cook, and Lake Counties are employed by the local recreation industry.

Sources:

• Letter from Senator Tina Smith to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, 2025
• U.S. Forest Service's 2022 findings on mining in the Boundary Waters
• Senator Tina Smith's legislation to permanently protect the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore mining
• One Big, Beautiful Bill (presidential bill with stripped language authorizing perpetual leases for Antofagasta)