The Minnesota Court of Appeals blocked Polymet Mining’s wastewater permit on Tuesday, August 6, citing evidence of “irregularities” between the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and top U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials.
The court alleged concerns by EPA scientists to MPCA that Polymet’s 479-page wastewater permit might violate the Clean Water Act, and those concerns were suppressed.
After reviewing the information the Minnesota Court of Appeals issued a stay of the Polymet wastewater permit until an investigation can be completed.
On Wednesday, August 7, the Second Judicial District Court in Ramsey County held a hearing to review the matter.
The MPCA issued a news release stating they were confident the permit they issued would hold up to a court review.
Polymet, a Toronto-based mining company now owned by Glencore, a Swiss-based mining company, has secured more than 20 permits to build the first copper nickel mine in the state. The open pit mine is scheduled to be built near Babbitt, with the copper and nickel to be processed near Hoyt Lakes. Some 360 good paying full-time jobs would be gained through the mining operation, along with many spin-off jobs.
However, environmental groups WaterLegacy, Friends of the Boundary Waters, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, along with several Lake and Cook County resort owners, have filed suit to stop the mine, citing potential long-term pollution that will affect the fish, birds, wild rice and much of the region’s economy if the mine’s wastewater isn’t properly treated and is released into the St. Louis River which drains into Lake Superior.
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