In March 2022, Thorwaldsson stood behind the decision to give Beowulf Mining permission to proceed with the plans for the Kallak mine. The project was controversial for its expected consequences on the environment and violations of the Indigenous peoples rights. It faced criticism from advisors of the U.N. Human Rights Council, as well as resistance from local Sami population backed by environmental activists including Greta Thunberg. During the debate preceding the decision Thorwaldsson said in an interview: "I, we in the Social Democratic Party love mines", which became infamous among the activists opposing the project.
