Minnesota’s first Copper-Nickel mine gets environmental clearance

AUSTIN (Scrap Monster): The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has given approval to environmental analysis of the state’s first copper, nickel and cobalt mine. The state agency has announced that the environmental impact statement meets all legal requirements. Having obtained the environmental clearance, PolyMet Mining Corp. can now go ahead in applying for other necessary permits to build the proposed mine near Babbit.

According to sources, the Minnesota Duluth Complex near Babbit contains one of the world’s largest undeveloped deposits of copper, nickel and precious metals. The proposed mine is expected to produce 72 million pounds of copper, 15.4 million pounds of nickel, 720,000 pounds of cobalt and 106,000 troy ounces of precious metals per annum. PolyMet Mining Corp. intends to carryout processing operations at a site near Hoyt Lakes, of the former LTV Steel taconite plant that has been closed since 2001.

PolyMet had started the environmental work in 2004. The original impact statement was first rejected by the US EPA authorities, citing several concerns including water quality and waste rock disposal. PolyMet had to redesign the entire project accordingly. The DNR had proposed major revisions in 2013 and had conducted a public comment process, after which the final version was release4d in November last year.

However, the mine still has to obtain around 20 permits before construction could be started. There are allegations that the proposed mine is likely to threaten the region’s ecological balance and disturb its water supplies. Meantime, PolyMet clarified that it will ensure that the mine and processing facility complies with all applicable state and federal standards.

John Cherry, PolyMet’s President and CEO stated that the approval has opened doors to nearly 100 years of mining in the region. The project is expected to generate up to 500 construction jobs and nearly 360 permanent jobs in the region.