Progress, Minor Setbacks Mark Nonferrous Industry’s Path
By CHARLES RAMSAY Regional Editor - Mesabi Daily News
Nonferrous mining - for copper, nickel and precious metals such as platinum and palladium - continued to advance, as well as incur some opposition during 2011.
No company has started up nonferrous mining in Minnesota yet, with a number is either prospecting or exploratory drilling mode, and the one most advanced, PolyMet, in the midst of environmental review toward obtaining operating permits in the near future.
PolyMet received criticism from opponents several times during the year, most recently at the St. Louis County Board at meetings in Duluth and Ely in December. Opponents say that sulfides mined as part of the process would get into area watersheds. PolyMet received more financial backing during the year from its partner, Glencore AG.
One industry setback occurred in October, when state officials decided to delay approval of pending leases by nonferrous companies for six months, due to opposition from residents or mining foes.
Twin Metals, a venture between Duluth Metals - which purchased the Franconia Minerals operation in March - and its partner, mining giant Antofagasto, opened up a new headquarters for its operations in the Ely area in the fall.
LaTisha Gietzen, PolyMet vice president of governmental and environmental affairs, said that progress had been made on its supplemental EIS and that they continued receiving support during the year. They are "looking at a very busy 2012" on the review and permitting, she said.
About a dozen companies are prospecting or exploring in Northeastern Minnesota for nonferrous minerals, said Mining Minnesota Executive Director Frank Ongaro. The organization is a trade group supporting nonferrous mining.
The year was a positive one as public policy was encouraging investment in nonferrous mining in the region. But, "it would have been nice to see government move through the environmental review more quickly on the project that's furthest along, PolyMet," he said.
While state officials did not act on 2011 nonferrous leases, "those did not delay the current projects" that are in review or progress, Ongaro noted.
The Duluth Complex and other nonferrous mineral deposits in the region continue to draw strong interest globally. As demand grows, "we will do everything we can do for these critical and strategic metals," he said.
