The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday ordered state regulators to reconsider a wastewater permit that was granted to PolyMet Mining Corp to build an open-pit copper mine, though judges rejected six other challenges to the permit from environmentalists.
Jan 24 - The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday ordered state regulators to reconsider a wastewater permit that was granted to PolyMet Mining Corp
The appeals court ordered the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to reconsider whether any groundwater runoff from the proposed mine would pollute navigable waterways. If the agency finds that the mine would pollute the waterways, it may fall under the jurisdiction of the federal Clean Water Act, which would impose more regulatory oversight. There is no timeline for this latest round of review.
Both the company and environmentalists claimed victory after the ruling. Shares of PolyMet, which is controlled by mining giant Glencore PlcFor St. Paul, Minnesota-based PolyMet, the mixed ruling holds promise a permit could eventually come. "This will mean a little more process, but it gives us a clear roadmap to the reactivation of this permit," said Jon Cherry, PolyMet's chief executive.