Sulfide Mining: Exploration near the BWCAW

Several companies are engaged in active mineral exploration in a region in the heart of the Superior National Forest and at the very edges of the BWCAW.

Recent mining exploration permit requests in the Superior National Forest

The exploration activities could have serious impacts on the ecosystem, ranging from the creation of additional roads to acid mine drainage. Already, Boundary Waters users and nearby property-owners have been affected by noise pollution from drilling.

The beautiful Stony River, which could be polluted by both exploration activities and potential mines.

If the exploration leads to the mines that the company’s hope it will, a large swath of wild woods and waters could be converted to a new mining district of these unsafe mines, draining directly into the Wilderness.

Specific concerns with the exploration include:

• Building new, temporary roads and cutting vegetation to clear and provide access to drill sites
• Using helicopters and planes to deliver equipment and personnel
• Constructing drill pads and sump pits
• Using about 1,000-2,000 gallons of water a day, which may be acquired from nearby, natural water sources
• Adding chlorine to the water, which must be prevented from contaminating ground water
• Generating large volumes of waste rock to be stockpiled on site with the potential to generate Acid Mine Drainage.

Learn more about specific concerns by reading a letter we sent to the Forest Service (PDF) »

Check out our photo gallery of the exploration zone »

Drilling barge exploring for sulfide minerals underneath Birch Lake in the BWCAW watershed