DNR Issues Permits for NorthMet Mining Project
DNR and MPCA Considered More Than 22,000 Comments on Draft Permits
ST. Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources granted permits for Poly Met Mining, Inc.’s proposed NorthMet mining project.
The DNR has issued the permit to mine, six water appropriation permits, two dam safety permits, a public waters work permit, and an endangered species takings permit for the NorthMet project.
But the project still requires permits from other agencies.
Included in the permit to mine is a financial assurance plan and wetland replacement plan.
“No project in the history of Minnesota has been more thoroughly evaluated,” said DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr.
“Based on the DNR’s review, we are confident that the project can be built, operated, and reclaimed in compliance with Minnesota’s rigorous environmental standards, which are designed to protect human health and the environment,” Landwehr said. “This does not mean that the project will not have impacts, but it does mean that the project meets Minnesota’s regulatory standards for these permits.”
Environmentalists have opposed the mine for fear it could pollute pristine waters.
Joe Radinovich, DFL candidate for Congress in Minnesota’s 8th District, released the following statement:
“Today’s permit approval by the DNR is good news for the future of our region and for the future of mining. As a former Iron Range legislative delegation member, assistant commissioner for the IRRRB, and through my work for Congressman Nolan, I know how hard everyone has been working to make sure PolyMet is an asset to our economy for years to come. After years of review, PolyMet has shown their ability to meet or exceed the strong environmental review we have in place as a state, and I’m also pleased to see that they will now be stepping forward with their first payments and necessary financial assurances. I commend the work of our regulatory agencies and Governor Dayton to see things to this point and I anticipate additional state decisions in the near future. The role of our next member of Congress is to ensure that we all work together to make sure that projects like PolyMet happen the right way and to bring new life to our mining way of life on the Range. We need to fight for good union jobs at these projects, and continue to ensure that they meet or exceed the environmental review process we have in place at the state and federal level. I’m proud to continue that fight.”
Pete Stauber released the following statement in response to the news that the Minnesota DNR issued the permits to mine for the Polymet Copper-Nickel Mine.
“I am extremely pleased to hear that after 14 years, Polymet has finally been issued its permits to mine copper nickel. I am the only candidate in this race that supports iron-ore mining, copper-nickel mining and Enbridge Line 3 and as I did this summer when I worked with President Trump to reverse the mining ban, I will continue to advocate to bring good paying mining jobs back to Minnesota. We can do both: mine and keep our environment clean.”
PolyMet says it can operate the proposed mine near Hoyt Lakes and Babbitt without harming the environment while creating hundreds of badly needed jobs on Minnesota’s Iron Range.
Paula Maccabee, an attorney for environmental group WaterLegacy, said environmentalists will likely appeal if permits are granted, or they could request the DNR to reconsider its decision.
