Wilderness News Online

PolyMet Issues Come to State Capitol

Issues surrounding PolyMet Mining Company's proposed copper-nickel and precious metals mining operation near Babbitt, reached the Minnesota state capitol yesterday at a hearing of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Senate Committee to Consider PolyMet

Next week, the Minnesota Senate's Environment and Natural Resources Committee will hear testimony on issues surrounding PolyMet Mining Company's proposed NorthMet copper-nickel and precious metals mine.

Legislature Mulls PolyMet Assurances

Minnesota state legislators will soon consider bills which could raise the level of financial assurances required by PolyMet Mining Company in order to operate its proposed NorthMet copper-nickel mining operation near Babbitt.

Namakan Dam Comments Close Tomorrow

The comment period on the Draft Environmental Report for Ojibway Power and Energy Group's proposed hydroelectric project on the Namakan River west of Quetico Provincial Park closes tomorrow.

EPA Criticizes PolyMet Plans

The Environmental Protection Agency, noting more than two dozen inadequacies in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposedPolyMet copper-nickle mine, says the project should not go forward as planned.

Friends of the BWCAW Criticizes PolyMet Plan

Citing "numerous serious flaws in the environmental review process and the project proposal," the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness called for no action to be taken to advance PolyMet Mining Company's proposed copper, nickel, and precious metals mine near Babbitt.

Deal Struck for Lake Vermilion Park

A deal to purchase 3000 acres of land abutting Lake Vermilion has been struck between the State of Minnesota and U.S. Steel Corporation, paving the way for what would be the state's first new State Park in 30 years.

Namakan Hydro Comment Period Opens

The inspection and public comment period for the proposed Namakan River Hydro Development Project got underway in late December with the release of the project's Draft Environmental Report by the Ojibway Power and Energy Group.

PolyMet Meetings Underway

The first of two public meetings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for PolyMet Mining Company's proposed copper-nickel mine near Babbitt is history. Roughly a thousand citizens converged on Aurora last night to support or question the project.

Environmentalists Protest Meeting Format

Environmental advocates are expressing concern about the format of the public meetings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for PolyMet Mining Company's proposed NorthMet project.