News

Duluth News Tribune
March 10, 2010

Everyone wants the employment PolyMet is promising. Hundreds of jobs that pay well and hundreds of millions of dollars of economic impact hinge on the company's ability to launch mining operations for precious metals near Babbitt.

At the same time, no one wants environmental devastation or pollution, as some fear could be left by PolyMet or another precious-metals mine.

So state rules and laws are needed to assure environmental responsibility, and cash is needed up front to cover the costs of any cleanup later.

Right?

Absolutely.

And in Minnesota, such assurances and standards already are in place and are among the most stringent in the nation. The state requires bankruptcy-proof financial assurances before mining begins in case money is needed for cleanup later. No financial assurance, no mining permit, according to state rules adopted in the early 1990s following years of study, including input from environmental groups. The state further requires an annual review of potential environmental cleanup costs and can adjust mining companies' financial obligations accordingly. Any company that doesn't comply with financial and other requirements of its permit can have its permit denied or revoked. The state could even level civil penalties.

How much a mining company is required to set aside at the outset is determined during the permitting process, which hasn't yet begun for PolyMet. The amount is determined by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

But the state's strict standards aren't enough for some. Legislation was introduced in St. Paul last year to heap on additional and unnecessarily duplicative requirements. Lawmakers wisely let the bill die without even a hearing.

Unfortunately, another bill has been introduced this year that could stall, and perhaps kill, PolyMet while also hampering the rest of the state's mining industry.

A Senate hearing is scheduled this evening. In advance of that, today's News Tribune Opinion Page offers two viewpoints on PolyMet and on precious metals mining. Read. Consider. Form your own opinions. Then join the community conversation by writing a letter to the editor. Submission guidelines are published on this page.

Hundreds of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of economic impact are at stake. But so, too, may be our state's environmental integrity.