# Minnesota mining restrictions near Boundary Waters > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/minnesota-mining-restrictions-near-boundary-waters > Updated: 2026-08-20T02:18:52.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 26-10 to block nonferrous mineral mining within the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed, an area connected to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The order directs the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to halt environmental reviews, permit issuances, and the granting of new state mining leases while litigation regarding state mining regulations is ongoing. The directive also prohibits state cooperation with federal environmental reviews for nonferrous mines in the watershed and mandates a review of existing state leases to ensure compliance. This action follows federal decisions to lift a moratorium on mining in the Superior National Forest. To solidify these protections, the Governor has directed the Department of Natural Resources to draft legislation for the Minnesota Legislature that would permanently prohibit nonferrous mining in the watershed. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-20: Governor Walz issues order to block mining near Boundary Waters Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order to block copper-nickel mining in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed to protect the Boundary Waters. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/governor-walz-issues-order-to-block-mining-near-boundary-waters ### 2026-08-18: Minnesota Governor blocks mining near Boundary Waters Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order to halt nonferrous mining permits and reviews in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed to protect the Boundary Waters wilderness. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/minnesota-governor-bans-nonferrous-mining-in-boundary-waters-watershed --- Cite as: Minnesota mining restrictions near Boundary Waters. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/minnesota-mining-restrictions-near-boundary-waters