The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement on PolyMet Mining Inc.’s NorthMet mine project in northeastern Minnesota. The approximately 2,200-page document is a comprehensive environmental analysis of the state’s first proposed copper-nickel mine.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Forest Service are seeking public review and input until March 13, 2014. There will be public meetings in Aurora, Duluth and St. Paul at which comments will be accepted. Input may also be submitted by email and mail.
The NorthMet Project would create an open pit copper, nickel, cobalt and precious metals mine with adjacent stockpile areas; refurbish a portion of the former LTV Steel Mining Company (LTVSMC) processing plant and construct a new hydrometallurgical facility at the plant site; construct a new tailings basin facility on the site of LTVSMC tailings facilities; and add to existing utility infrastructure and rail lines. The Land Exchange would consist of USFS conveyance of Superior National Forest Lands encompassing the NorthMet mine site and surrounding lands to PolyMet, and USFS acquisition from PolyMet of up to five tracts of private lands within the Superior National Forest proclamation boundary.
To read details of the plan, submit comments or for more meeting information, visit http:// www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/environmentalreview/ polymet/index. html or call (800) 657-3929.
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