Local 49 Business Manager Ryan Davies released the following statement on Gov. Tim Walz’s Aug. 18, 2026, executive order on mining:
“Gov. Walz ran and was elected on a responsible mining platform. Today’s executive order is a complete reversal of that position as his action is arbitrary and unnecessary. It is already illegal to mine in the Boundary Waters, and the Governor knows it. Minnesotans deserve a consistent, fair and science-based approach to issuing environmental permits. The Governor broke his promise to the hard-working members of Local 49, who have mined critical resources in northern Minnesota for a hundred years.
“After supporting the Governor for many years, I was disappointed in this morning’s announcement. Looking back at all the accomplishments under his leadership, like Paid Family Medical Leave, Earned Sick and Safe Time, bonding bills, pipelines, a plan for carbon neutrality by 2050, and more, it’s hard to watch us step backward when we need new business to create good-paying jobs and support the programs our state offers.”
