Know the Issue

Myth-busting the jobs and labor argument

Sep 10, 2026
Save the Boundary Waters
myth busting

The debate over copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters is often framed around strong union jobs, economic opportunity, and Northeastern Minnesota’s “way of life.” However, it is worth taking a closer look at what the record actually shows — and who would actually benefit from a Twin Metals mine. The facts are not supported by the claims of the outspoken anti-Boundary Waters minority.

The fact is that the Twin Metals mine wouldn’t create jobs; it would destroy them.

  • By the numbers: Research shows that a Twin Metals copper mine would harm the regional economy. In contrast, the outdoor economy would create up to 4,600 additional jobs and generate up to $900 million in additional income over 20 years. 

  • In the Arrowhead region alone, the recreation and tourism industry generates $1.1 billion dollars, and supports 17,000 existing jobs. Statewide, outdoor recreation contributes $13.9 billion annually to Minnesota’s economy, dwarfing the $1.2 billion from extractive industries like mining.

Importing labor: Twin Metals itself said that local residents do not have the skills needed to work in its mine and went on to say that future employees will be imported from elsewhere. See this in the Ely local newspaper, The Timberjay, from 2019.

  • Twin Metals spokesman David Ulrich said the company will need specialized workers who are experts in the process of copper-nickel mining. Twin Metals will be an underground mine, the region’s first in roughly 60 years.  

    “There’s just not that technical talent base here” for some of those jobs, Ulrich said. “We’ve reached out across the world to find some of the premier folks on Earth to come and help us with this project.”

An article published in February 2026 in The Timberjay emphasizes the increasing trend of mine automation and debunks the myth that Twin Metals will create jobs and secure a domestic supply of critical minerals:

“While there would undoubtedly be some surface jobs, mostly in maintenance and tech support, there is no guarantee that those operating the underground equipment, which would be done remotely, will live anywhere in the region, or even in the state.

Indeed, by the time the mine opens, most of the equipment is likely to be operated by AI. Much of the tech support will likely be handled by AI as well. Traditional mining jobs for the average guy or gal in our region are going to be increasingly scarce regardless of what happens with Twin Metals.”

Copper mining is shifting to robotics and automation - and Antofagasta itself is pursuing and implementing remote operation and AI techniques 

  • "New mines being built in the developed world these days are highly automated, and that trend is only accelerating with the integration of AI. Keep in mind, even if Twin Metals got the green light to present a mine plan today, it would be one to two decades before a mine could actually open. What we know for sure is that the level of automation at that point in time would be light years beyond what we’re seeing even today. If the company moved initially to open an underground operation, as they’ve indicated, it is likely that no employees will actually work underground. A human-free underground operation is far safer and cheaper for a mining company, since all the hazards and regulatory challenges associated with keeping workers underground essentially disappear." The Timberjay, February 27, 2026.

  • In April 2026, Julie Lucas, Executive Director of Mining Minnesota, stated, “Automation allows us to remove workers from areas that might be risky. But it is just like in everything else, we're going to see more automation. It's how we upscale people so that they can run equipment where it's maybe not sitting in a piece of equipment, it's running it remotely.” From MPR News with Angela Davis: The Senate overturned a mining ban near the Boundary Waters. What happens next?

Proof of modern mining shifting to robotics and automation: Utah's fully AI mine 

The world's first fully autonomous copper mine and refinery, Copper One, is located in southeastern Utah. Revitalized by Mariana Minerals, the 10,000-acre site relies on an AI software stack that integrates autonomous drills, driverless haul trucks, and robotic inspection dogs. See: https://www.deseret.com/utah/2026/04/27/mariana-autonomous-copper-mine/

No guarantee of union labor — there is no Project Labor Agreement (PLA) in place for operating a Twin Metals mine:

  • Twin Metals states on its website that there is a PLA with the Iron Range Building and Construction Trades Council — but this agreement only covers the construction phase of the mine, not the ongoing operation of the mine once it’s built.  According to the company’s own FAQs, unionization of the long-term mining workforce would be decided later, but is not guaranteed by the PLA.

  • Additionally, Twin Metals' parent company —Antofagasta— has a history of indifference towards the lands and people around its mines. In January 2026, the company was fined $775,000 for failing to comply with water management regulations at its Centinela copper mine. They cannot be trusted to do the right thing in Northern Minnesota.