Star Tribune
Steve Karnowski

A company that wants to build an underground copper-nickel mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota criticized the U.S. Forest Service on Tuesday for saying it may deny renewal of the mineral leases needed for the $2.8 billion project near Ely.

Twin Metals Minnesota said the Forest Service’s statement “suggests a disturbing predisposition or bias” against renewing the leases even before the federal agency opens a 30-day public comment period next Monday. The company said it’s “evaluating all options” to protect its property and due process rights, and says it’s entitled to renew the two leases, which were first issued in 1966 and last renewed in 2004.

Read More: http://www.startribune.com/copper-mine-developer-fires-back-against-us-forest-service/382991171/

MinnPost
Bryn Howe, Minnetonka Middle School East

Our class has been learning about plans to open a new mine in Minnesota, and the pros and cons of that proposed mine. In my opinion, PolyMet should be permitted to open this new mine (called NorthMet) in Minnesota. PolyMet, a mining company, is interested in becoming the first company to mine copper, nickel, and other precious metals in northeastern Minnesota, or more specifically, the Duluth Complex, an area rich in minerals that borders the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA).

Read more: https://www.minnpost.com/letters/2016/05/northmet-mine-should-be-allowed-proceed

Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna

Those in the media and opponents of the PolyMet copper/nickel/precious metals project who continue to say the Iron Range is split in opinion on the venture should have a different assessment if they attended Tuesday’s public hearing on the permitting process.

The overwhelming majority of the estimated 450 people attending the hearing wore their support for what will be the state’s first copper/nickel/precious metals mine on their garments, with stickers backing PolyMet.

Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/news/local/polymet-support-overwhelming/article_b9ab3508-06ab-11e6-a320-c7c3cea72d42.html

Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna

A delegation of local officials will travel to Washington this week to meet with federal officials Wednesday and emphasize that Gov. Mark Dayton does not speak for the Iron Range when it comes to the issuance of state and federal land leases.

The trip is in response to the governor’s recent declaration that leases on state land will no longer be issued. That declaration directly impacts the Twin Metals project near Ely and Babbitt.

Read more: http://www.virginiamn.com/news/local/rams-initiates-trip-to-lobby-washington/article_ed7b5552-043a-11e6-b176-bb962be5ae64.html

Duluth News Tribune
Staff

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will host a public information meeting April 19 in Aurora on PolyMet Mining’s expected application for a state mining permit.

The meeting, set to be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Mesabi East High School, is the first step in the DNR’s effort to draft permit details.

Read more: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/3989383-public-meeting-set-polymet-permits