If the NorthMet project is permitted and becomes operational, ore will be transferred from rail cars into crushers that were formerly used to crush iron ore at LTV. Once crushed to 0.5 inches, the ore will be ground in a rod and ball mill, reducing it to 120 microns—about the diameter of a human hair. Photo courtesy of PolyMet.
HOYT LAKES – Twenty-five long years ago, in 1989, PolyMet Mining leased NorthMet mineral rights from U.S. Steel. Today, the company is in the late stages of a comprehensive environmental review for their NorthMet project where they plan to mine copper, nickel and precious metals.
Public review of the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) was held earlier this year and the public comment period closed on March 13, 2014. Over 50,000 comments were received.
The co-lead agencies (Minnesota DNR, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and U.S. Forest Service) are in the process of reviewing and responding to all comments received. Per that process, the draft document will be modified if needed, and ultimately a final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be published for public review.
This process of analysis and revision takes many months. The co-lead agencies then will determine if the final EIS adequately evaluates the project and its likely environmental impacts. If the EIS is determined adequate the project may proceed to permit considerations and other approvals, which will specify conditions that must be met to protect the environment.
At this point, no regulatory decisions have been made on the NorthMet project. During the permitting phase, there will be additional opportunities for public review and input on specific permits and details.
Ultimately, PolyMet will be able to proceed with construction and operations only if all necessary permits are received.
Timeline for PolyMet’s NorthMet mining project
1989 PolyMet leases NorthMet mineral
rights from US Steel.
1990s Research begins, investigating the
use of alternative processing technology to process ore within the
Duluth Complex.
2000 PolyMet gains full rights to the
NorthMet deposit located within
the Duluth Complex and begins a
pre-feasibility study to advance the
NorthMet project.
2004 PolyMet begins environmental
review process.
2005 PolyMet acquires the Erie Plant,
located six miles west of the North-
Met deposit.
2006 PolyMet’s shares are listed on the
American (now NYSE MKT) stock
exchange. Bateman Engineering
publishes NorthMet Definitive
Feasibility Study. PolyMet acquires
infrastructure, property and associated rights, linking the NorthMet
deposit and the Erie Plant.
2007 PolyMet’s shares are listed on the
Toronto Stock Exchange.
2008 PolyMet enters a strategic marketing and financial agreement with
Glencore International, one of the
world’s leading integrated producers and marketers of commodities.
2010 Draft Environmental Impact Statement goes on public notice.
2012 Jon Cherry, an environmental
engineer with a strong track record
of mine permitting in the United
States, is appointed president and
chief executive officer.
Timeline for environmental review and permitting status
Mar. 2004 Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)
PolyMet works with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (state lead agency) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (federal lead agency) to develop an EAW, a document designed to gather and disclose information about a proposed project, identify potential environmental effect and determine what issues and alternatives will be addressed.
July 2005 EAW Public Comment Stage
During a 30-day period, the public reviews the Environmental Assessment Worksheet, asks questions, and identifies any issues they feel have been overlooked.
Oct. 2005 Final Scoping Decision
Taking public comments into consideration, the Minnesota DNR and USACE develops a Final Scoping Decision, which provides the blueprint for preparing the Environmental Impact Statement.
Oct. 2009 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
The Minnesota DNR and USACE prepares a joint DEIS that analyzes in great detail potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the proposed North- Met project.
Nov. ’09-Feb. ’10 DEIS Public Comment Stage
The public reviews the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, asks questions, and identifies any significant issues they feel have been overlooked.
Feb. 2010 U.S. EPA Gives Draft EIS an EU3 Rating
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rates the EIS as EU3 – Environmentally Unsatisfactory – and recommends that additional information, alternatives and mitigation measures be evaluated and made available for public comment in a revised or supplemental EIS.
Oct. 2010 U.S. Forest Service Becomes Federal Co-Lead Agency
The U.S. Forest Service – Superior National Forest joins the environmental review process as the co-lead federal agency with USACE and as the decision maker on a proposed land exchange. Because the NorthMet project involves federally owned land, the USFS and PolyMet have proposed a land exchange that would unite surface ownership and mineral rights in the area to be mined by PolyMet. PolyMet would provide private exchange lands of high recreational and wetland value to the USFS to improve public access, reduce boundary lines, and promote consolidation of USFS lands.
2010-2013 Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS)
The Minnesota DNR, USACE and USFS serve as the co-lead agencies, and the Environmental Protection Agency and local tribal bands serve as cooperating agencies in preparing a SDEIS. Expanding on the existing DEIS, this document:
Reflects comments received from the public and government agencies during the DEIS comment stage.
Integrates key project improvements, modifications, alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize environmental impacts.
Incorporates the proposed land exchange between the USFS and PolyMet Mining.
Dec. ’13-Mar. ’14 SDEIS Public Comment Period
The co-lead agencies publish the Supplemental Draft EIS (available on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
website) and the document undergoes public review. The DNR hosts well-attended public comment meetings in Duluth, Aurora and St. Paul.
Dec. 13, 2013 USACE Publishes Polymet Application for The Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit (Federal Wetlands Permit)
The application undergoes public review and comment concurrent with the review of the SDEIS. This key federal permit covers mitigation and replacement of wetlands that will be affected by the project and ensures there will be no net loss of wetlands because of the project.
Mar. 13, 2014 U.S. EPA Issues EC2 Rating for SDEIS
The U.S. EPA rates the SDEIS as EC2 – Environmental Concerns – among the highest ratings a project such as this can receive from the EPA, and expresses appreciation for considerable improvements made to the document since the original 2009 draft.
On-going Final Environmental Impact Statement
The Minnesota DNR, USACE, and USFS reviews and responds to public comments on the SDEIS. After making any appropriate changes, the federal and state regulatory agencies release the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for public comment. Final regulatory decisions cannot be made until after environmental review is completed.
