Duluth News Tribune
John Myers
PolyMet Mining Co. on Thursday submitted its massive application for a state permit to mine, the first ever for a copper mine in Minnesota.
The more-than-15,000-page document, years in the works, lays out the company’s detailed plans to blast open the mine pit, build a processing center near Hoyt Lakes, design and operate water treatment technology and then close the mine and rehabilitate the site when the copper, nickel, gold and other precious metals are played out.
The permit application, which the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will now review, also includes PolyMet’s proposal for a financial assurance package — money guaranteed and set aside to fix any problems that might happen years into the future, even if the company leaves town or files for bankruptcy.
The DNR is expected to review the applications over several months, demand changes and negotiate over how much money should be set aside to pay for any unforeseen trouble.
“There’s a certain amount of back-and-forth between the agency and the permit applicant as we identify areas where we need some supplemental information,” said DNR Assistant Commissioner Barb Naramore.
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