Statement on Release of PolyMet Sulfide Mine Plan

Environment Minnesota

Today marks the public release of an environmental impact study for PolyMet’s proposed sulfide mine in northern Minnesota. If approved, it would be the first of its kind in the state. Companies are already exploring and test drilling across northern Minnesota for possible copper and nickel mines and have proposed mines in the Lake Superior basin, in the Superior National Forest, and near the Boundary Waters wilderness.

Environment Minnesota Advocate Samantha Chadwick released the following statement:

“With recent projections of 500 years of water pollution, the revised Polymet mine proposal still looks to be among the most destructive projects in Minnesota history. The mine would destroy thousands of acres of important wetlands habitat, result in sulfuric acid runoff and other toxic pollution, and endangers waterways in the Lake Superior basin. Pollution from this mine would be irreversible and costly, and Minnesota taxpayers could be stuck with the cleanup bill.

If approved, PolyMet would be Minnesota’s first sulfide mine – ushering in a wave of new plans for this uniquely dirty and destructive mining that would threaten the beloved Boundary Waters wilderness and Lake Superior.
We urge the D.N.R. and E.P.A. to reject the Polymet mine and protect Minnesota’s land and water for generations to come.