ST. PAUL – House Subcommittee on Mining, Forestry and Tourism Vice Chairman State Rep. Dale Lueck, R-Aitkin, issued the following statement in response to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Thursday indicating it has approved the final state permits for PolyMet’s NorthMet copper-nickel mining project in northeastern Minnesota. This includes state permitting related to air, water, and Section 401 wetland certification.
“This is a positive development in a long and extensive environmental review process that will allow mining of this important mineral resource, while at the same time ensuring the environment is protected.’ Lueck said. “Completing the final elements of Minnesota’s permitting process brings us closer to the day of adding new, high-paying jobs that will strengthen the economic fabric of our part of the state. This project has undergone the most intensive environmental review of any mining operation ever. The conclusion is copper-nickel mining operations can be safely and effectively conducted in northeastern Minnesota.”
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