Iron Range reps push back against temporary Rainy River Headwaters mining ban
State and congressional Republican leadership gathered north of Virginia Wednesday morning to rally against Governor Tim Walz’s new executive order, which bans mining in the Rainy River Headwaters watershed.
“Minnesota has been mining for 146 years. We know how to do it,” said Minnesota Congressional District-08 Congressman Pete Stauber. “Our union workers know how to do it and we can lead not only the United States, but we can lead the world in mining.”
Stauber pointed to the state’s rigorous permitting process and environmental standards, which he and other state legislators reiterated are among the best in the world for mining operations.
“I want to be crystal clear. There will be no mining in the Boundary Waters, and there will be no mining in the buffer zone surrounding the Boundary Waters,” Stauber said.
The 1978 Wilderness Act prevents mining operations within this area. The buffer zone encompasses 220,000 acres north of the Fernberg Corridor and north of Burntside and Shagawa L…