On November 6th, 2025, Franconia Minerals LLC submitted an exploration plan to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for review to conduct exploratory boring on state lands near Birch Lake, upstream from Ely, Minnesota and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Barring any unusual circumstances, Franconia will likely get permission from the MN DNR to continue exploring as they’ve done in the area for several years. While exploratory boring itself does not pose a significant threat to the environment and is a routine practice in the mining industry, Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters remains prepared to oppose the creation and operation of a copper-nickel mine upstream from the Boundary Waters. The following is a basic breakdown of what we presently know about Franconia Minerals LLC and exploratory boring.