DNR chief: Expect PolyMet environmental review by early spring

Duluth, Minn.

October 7, 2014 4:00 PM

Aerial view — In this undated aerial file photo, the LTV Steel Mining Company which shut its doors Jan. 3, 2001, is shown near Hoyt Lakes, Minn. The PolyMet Mining Corp. wants to use the facility for its copper-nickel processing plant.
Mark Sauer / AP file

Minnesota officials hope to finish the final environmental analysis for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine by early next spring.

"I know people are frustrated with this, I'm frustrated with this, but I just want you to know that we want to be as thorough and diligent as possible," Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr said Monday during a forum on Iron Range mining. "We have to have the best possible document at the end of this, and we are working as expeditiously as possible to get that thing out the door."

PolyMet is proposing a $650 million copper, nickel and precious metals mine near Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes.

The state just finished its initial review of the 58,000 comments received on the draft environmental impact statement and the DNR will incorporate 8,000 "unique ideas" from those comments into the final environmental statement, Landwehr said.

When state and federal regulators OK the environmental analysis, PolyMet can apply for the more than 20 permits needed to develop a mine.

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