Published: June 19, 2023 |

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A major blow was dealt to a Northeastern Minnesota mining company earlier in the month as their permit for a proposed copper-nickel mine was revoked.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced they are revoking NewRange’s permit to develop its NorthMet copper-nickel mine, formerly known as PolyMet, near Hoyt Lakes.

The Corps claims NewRange failed to meet EPA clean water standards.

Iron Range author and political expert Aaron Brown said decisions like Tuesday’s revocation of NorthMet’s permit cause a lot of emotional reaction, no matter how someone feels about their proposal because mining has become a cultural standpoint for Minnesotans.

“It’s all been kind of tied into this big, powerful cultural symbol, and as long as that’s the case, people are going to take it very personally,” Brown said.

Minnesota Representative Dave Lislegard, a DFL’er who represents Aurora, said he and his constituents are shocked by the decision.

“We are beyond disappointed, we are frustrated in Northeast Minnesota. For this to happen at this moment, the way that it did, blindsiding, is just unacceptable,” Lislegard said.

Northeast Minnesota’s U.S. Representative Republican Congressman Pete Stauber said the decision is a political one.

“Make no mistake about it, this was a political decision by the Biden Administration. This was their desired outcome to stop mining in Northeastern Minnesota,” Stauber said.

As for how the decision will impact mining as a whole, Brown said he’s not sure it will.

“I don’t know that there’s an immediate impact on mining overall. My read on it is it’s another reminder that there are a lot of stakeholders in this project,” Brown said.

Brown said he would suggest NorthMet go back to the drawing board and include those other stakeholders, namely, the Fond du Lac Band, whose reservation is at the center of environmental concerns for the project, in conversations regarding the project earlier on in the permitting process.

NewRange can submit for a new permit if they would like, though they have not yet said if they will.

In a statement, they said they will be reviewing their options and continue to look for ways to develop the mine in a safe and environmentally friendly way.

Source: Northern News Now

NewRange Copper Nickel is a joint venture between Teck and PolyMet and consists of the NorthMet and Mesaba deposits located in northeastern Minnesota, which are part of the Duluth Complex. The joint venture creates a path to develop a new domestic supply of critical minerals for the low-carbon transition through responsible mining.

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