Gov. Tim Walz said Saturday there should be a higher bar for approving copper-nickel mines near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness compared to other areas, and cast doubt on whether technology is advanced enough to produce the metals without polluting water.

“I just think you have to take it into the context of how special the place is,” Walz said. “Is the technology able to do it? I don’t think it is at this point in time.”

Just one project has been proposed in the Rainy River watershed, which flows into the BWCA. Twin Metals Minnesota hopes to mine for copper, nickel, cobalt and other metals near Ely and Babbitt. The company, a subsidiary of Chilean mining giant Antofagasta, has not yet submitted a mine plan for state regulators to scrutinize.

“The regulatory process for Twin Metals Minnesota has been paused for several years, and the Twin Metals project is not currently under review,” said Twin Metals spokeswoman Kathy Graul, in a written statement. “All proposed mining projects must go through an extensive environmental review process at both the state and federal level before permits can be issued. Mining companies must prove they can meet all environmental standards in place before moving forward with building a mine.”

Walz on Saturday lamented how mining has become a political issue. His comments came at the Minnesota Star Tribune’s Strib Unbound event in Minneapolis promoting outdoor adventures.

“Now it’s like wearing your team on this,” Walz said. “If you’re a certain political ideology, you’re for mining no matter what it says. If you’re on the other side, you’re against mining.”