Polymet Mining Corp (PLM)

[duluthinvestor]

Please take the time to reach out to your house and senate representatives to share your support against the current legislation.

House bill is HF0916 (referred to Environment Policy and Oversight Committee), senate version is SF0845 (referred to Environment and Natural Resources Commiittee). Here is the house version:

https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H0916.0.html&session=ls86

Here is the link to the indviduals on the House committe.
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/committeemembers.asp?comm=86136

Here is the link to the individuals on the Senate Committee
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/committees/committee_bio.php?cmte_id=1006&ls=#members

Thanks to Whaaatsup and Dadoffour for the links.

Here is a letter I typed up; feel free to use all or part of it in your communication to your state officials.

Dear House/Senate Member,

I am writing both as a concerned citizen of MN and an environmentally minded business person. I take a pragmatic approach in balancing community, state, and business interests; believing that we can both support a pro-business/investment community while as the same time balancing environmental impact. As a result, I believe that non-ferrous mining has the potential to fuel significant economic growth and to develop thriving communities within the state; and I fully believe non-ferrous mining can take place in such a way that it balances environmental concerns while at the same time helping to drive economic growth; The growth of the non-ferrous mining industry can build on Minnesota’s heritage of mining AND environmental stewardship. In regard to legislation H.F. No. 916, I am urging you NOT TO SUPPORT the current bill.

• I do not support the current language regarding reclamation and restoration: This verbiage is overly broad; I partially support the concept in theory, however believe it does not take into consideration economic feasibility nor does it take into consideration the fact that many of the non-ferrous mine sites are already disturbed from their original condition. It is also my opinion that the unique landscape resulting from mining on the Iron Range actually creates a community identity and has its own intrinsic beauty found nowhere else in the state.
• I do not support language regarding not permitting mines which need “ongoing water treatment”
1. This is language essentially included as an attempt to block non-ferrous mining projects
2. The definition of water treatment is so broad that, for example, it doesn’t even allow for biological systems: This is ridiculous; it is essentially saying no environmental mitigation is allowed (how environmentally conscientious is that?). Let me remind you that privately owned septic systems use “biological systems” to naturally filter human waste, thereby creating the safe return of water and nutrients to the environment.
• I do not support the language on the “financial assurance of operator”: This is essentially asking an entity to pay in total for unknown costs up front, leading to the potential for inhibiting fiscal viability of new projects, even before they start. I am in support of businesses and enterprises being responsible for damages they cause, however this is redundant in that companies already have liability policies; perhaps this needs to be addressed in that at the time of mine closure, liability insurance would be secured/prepaid for a period of X number of years. That way the company is only incurring the cost of the relative risk. Analogy: It would be like requiring your 16 year old son/daughter to personally prepay $1,000,000 cash in order to have a fund assuring liability against future unknown/possible accidents just in exchange for getting their drivers license; that is the purpose of Insurance.

I believe many of the environmental concerns for non-ferrous mining are addressed in current processes, i.e. via the EIS and current mine permitting process. As a result I am asking you to advocate on behalf of myself and the citizens of Minnesota, by showing your support AGAINST H.F. No. 916.

Respectfully,
Name/City