A mining threat returns to the nation’s most visited wilderness

A sulfide-ore copper mine could bring irreversible pollution to the rivers and streams flowing into the Boundary Waters.

Photos & Video by Brad Zweerink

A mining threat returns to the nation’s most visited wilderness

A sulfide-ore copper mine could bring irreversible pollution to the rivers and streams flowing into the Boundary Waters.

Photos & Video by Brad Zweerink

Boundary Waters guide Dave Hicks paddling his canoe through the wilderness area.
The sun peeks out over the top of the forest, illuminating a camp in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
An aurora lights up the starry night sky in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Alex Falconer

Two people in a canoe on still waters during twilight in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota.

Nate Ptacek

Two people lean over a map of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, pointing to a compass on the map.
Two canoes paddle through large rapids on a wide river surrounded by green forest.
Two people reach for supplies in a kayak pulled close to shore in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Dave Freeman

Embers leap out from a metal grate over a campfire as darkness descends in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Three dogs on a line pull a sled through heavy snow in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as a person runs alongside the sled.

Nate Ptacek

A backlit person stands on a rocky outcropping, surrounded by icy water and framed against the twilight in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Dave Freeman

A small frog in the water of Birch Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, near the proposed Twin Metals mine site outside of Ely, Minn.
Lily pads in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
A turtle basks in the sun in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Wild rice growing in Birch Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The Twin Metals Mine site lays on the edge of the Boundary Waters wilderness.

The Twin Metals Mine site lays on the edge of the Boundary Waters wilderness.

Save the Boundary Waters sign outside of Piragis Northwoods Co., a large outfitter in Ely, Minnesota.
Brightly lit storefronts in downtown Ely, Minnesota, in the early hours of the evening.

Though Ely has a long history of mining — even helping Minnesota supply the bulk of iron to the U.S. in World War II — sulfide mining has never before been allowed in the state.

The historic Pioneer Mine in Ely, Minn., produced iron ore until 1967. Today, it is a museum.

More than 50 paddlers show their solidarity for the Boundary Waters in a flotilla day of action organized by Save the Boundary Waters in 2021 on Minneapolis’ Bde Maka Ska Lake.

Many people in kayaks float near the shore in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Some hold signs opposing the Twin Metals mine.

Ari Lindquist

Two people in front of a map of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. One points to a location on the map. while the other holds an open hand against the border line with Canada.
Aerial view of lakes and islands of Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Jim Brandenburg / Minden Pictures

Your voice is needed! We still have a chance to save the Boundary Waters now and for future generations. Tell the Interior Department that you support the mining ban that protects the Boundary Waters.