Polymet Mining Corp (PLM)

[Robert H]

Congressman Holds Town Hall Meeting In Gilbert

Mesabi Daily News - 03/04/12

POLYMET PORTION ONLY

‘I’m hearing a state agency has issues’ with PolyMet.

Cravaack also was asked by an audience member about the long delayed copper/nickel/precious metals PolyMet project on
the east Range.

“It’s frustrating,” he said, adding that he has heard “a state agency has some issues.” Cravaack said he hopes to know more about the project’s status and any problems during the next meeting with all stakeholders on March 12 in Duluth. It will be one of the roundtables on the issue Cravaack initiated last
year.

AFTER THE MEETING

Regarding PolyMet, Cravaack said he believes all federal officials and agencies are pulling in the same direction, but a
state agency “has some issues.” After the town hall, Cravaack filled out that comment when asked if the agency was the Department of Natural Resources? “Yes, that’s what I’ve heard,”
he said.

Cravaack said the nonferrous project is vital to the future economic health of the Range and Minnesota. It would create 350 permanent jobs, hundreds more spin-off jobs and a projected 1.5 million hours of construction work. He said plans now call for an Environmental Impact Statement to be ready by summer. There
has already been more than eight years of environmental review.