News

Duluth News Tribune
June 21, 2009

Several companies that have explored extensively over the past decade already are considering mining copper and other metals near the current area of exploration interest, including PolyMet, Franconia, Duluth Metals, Tech-Cominco and Encampment Resources. Some of those companies, while still fine-tuning exploratory drilling, already have found large enough deposits to consider mining projects.

Several companies that have explored extensively over the past decade already are considering mining copper and other metals near the current area of exploration interest, including PolyMet, Franconia, Duluth Metals, Tech-Cominco and Encampment Resources. Some of those companies, while still fine-tuning exploratory drilling, already have found large enough deposits to consider mining projects.

PolyMet is the only company with a specific mine proposal. The firm is awaiting results of a years-long environmental review before applying for mining permits. That environmental impact statement is expected later this year, and PolyMet hopes to open Minnesota's first copper mine about one year after that.

Other players are apparently waiting to see how the PolyMet project advances before submitting mining plans of their own.

Meanwhile, Utah-based Kennecott Exploration has been looking for minerals in north-central Minnesota since 2001, drilling test holes on county, state and private lands in Carlton, Aitkin, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties.

Ernie Lehman, Minnesota's veteran copper-nickel prospector and minerals director for Franconia, predicts interest in copper-nickel mining in the Superior National Forest will continue as global supply shrinks and demand increases. The area could become the largest U.S. source for many critical metals, he said.

"This is a high-interest area. It's a significant copper-nickel resource globally," Lehman said. "And as properties get developed up there, PolyMet being the first, you're only going to see interest increase."