WASHINGTON — President Trump has had his way for industrializing protected lands near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters on the Canada border. The U.S. Senate voted 50-49 to allow a South American mining conglomerate to dig deep in the Superior National Forest and open a pit to extract copper. Environmentalists opposed the bill, citing toxic chemicals spillage into the Boundary Waters as inevitable. Passage was a victory for the mining, industry which lobbied heavily for a foothold in northern Minnesota’s remote and pristine forest lands. Other mining companies now are expected to file for additional permits to extract the area’s immense stores of copper, nickel, cobalt and platinum-group metals Earlier, in January, the House approved the legislation. The legislation now goes to President Trump to sign into law. The bill was opposed rigorously by Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, both Democrats. Smith filibustered five hours against
“You can support mining, but that does not mean that you support every mine in every place. Whatever the outcome of this vote this afternoon, we will not stop fighting, and we will not stop our work to protect the Boundary Waters.”
Two Republicans joined the Minnesota opposition to the new mining: Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Susan Collins of Maine.
Smith. A Minnesota voice for environmental protection of pristine lands.
Superior National Forest. Lime green is Boundary Waters wilderness. Limited only to hikers and canoeists. Brown is Voyageurs National Park.