Polymet Mining Corp (PLM)

[Robert H]

Minn. House Minority Leader Tours PolyMet Site

Republican House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt toured the proposed PolyMet mine site Friday.

The company wants to do copper nickel mining near Babbitt and process the minerals in Hoyt Lakes.

It's been a contentious topic, with those opposed to the project saying it would hurt the environment. The group Mining Truth says they've gathered more than 12,000 signatures from every county in Minnesota. The group says the petition asks Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton to ensure the environment will be protected in any copper-nickel mining project like the proposed PolyMet mine.

Rep. Daudt says he believe PolyMet has taken all the necessary steps thus far to prove they will protect the environment.

"Frankly I think it's reasonable that we will continue to protect the environment in Northern Minnesota," said Daudt. "Obviously our environment is a great asset to us, but at the same time I think we can also create the jobs that are so desperately needed in Northern Minnesota."

On the tour, PolyMet representatives told Daudt that the project would inject $1.4 million dollars per day into the local economy.

The public will be able to weigh in on the environmental review in a few months.