Mining Among Minnesota's Top Environmental Concerns in 2016
M ining ‐‐ and its effects on the environment ‐‐ is slated to be on the agenda of Minnesota's lawmakers during the 2016 legislative session. Along with carbon and water, copper and nickel mining will be among the primary environmental issues that the state will debate this upcoming year. These items include decisions resulting from ongoing environmental reviews as they pertain to regulations about new mining efforts. PolyMet's Role in Minnesota's Future As early as February is when the Department of Natural Resources hopes to release its final decision regarding PolyMet Mining Corp's new proposed mining effort that will target copper and nickel. According to Tom Landwehr, Commissioner of the state's Department of Natural Resources, the agency is hopeful that they will have reached a final consensus about whether to certify the company's final statement outlining the environmental impact of its newest mining operation. Landwehr has already stated that he plans to approve the document. This statement, which stands at 3,576 pages long, contains reams of complex data that back up PolyMet's claims that the company can contain any environmental issues and minimize their effects. The Next Steps for PolyMet Once Landwehr pens his signature of approval on the environmental impact statement, the applicable federal agencies are expected to do so as well. PolyMet has indicated that it will apply for the necessary permits as quickly as possible so that it can begin the building phase of the project. The company is hopeful that they can begin mining operations as early as 2018, if all goes as planned. One cog in the operation that could set PolyMet's start date back is that environmental groups are expected to protest the development of the mine. If an agreement is not reached between the two, the issue could wind up going to court.