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Bob Kelleher
Duluth, Minn.

Officials releasing environmental review of PolyMet

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State officials will soon release a long-awaited environmental review of PolyMet Mining's proposed copper and nickel mine in northeast Minnesota.

The review has been in development since April of 2006. Now, PolyMet's draft Environmental Impact Statement will be made public the week of Oct. 19. DNR Communications Director Colleen Coyne said it's been a complex project.

"We have had a number of state, federal, and tribal agencies involved, and there have been changes to the project along the way in order to mitigate potential environmental impacts," Coyne said.

Coyne said formal publication opens a public review process on Nov. 2, including two public meetings.

"One in the Hoyt Lakes area, and one in Minneapolis-St Paul," Coyne said. "This will be the opportunity for the public to really weigh in on the draft statement and tell us what they think, and we're looking forward to hearing those responses."

PolyMet's mining plans are vigorously opposed by people concerned about potential pollution. The minerals targeted by PolyMet are found in rock that in many places has created a sulfuric acid runoff. PolyMet's mine could be the first of several copper-nickel and precious metals mines in the region.