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News
Northland News Center
July 20, 2010
The old LTV mine site still needs a lot of work, but PolyMet officials say it will be well worth their investment.
"We will be reusing much of the existing infrastructure which really helps reduce the impact to the environment. We'll be able to reuse the infrastructure in many ways," says LaTisha Gietzen
LaTisha Gietzen, PolyMets Vice president of Public, Government and Environmental Affairs, says the supplemental draft environmental impact statement is currently being constructed by the lead agencies of the project which include the Minnesota D-N-R, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Forest service.
All of the agencies involved are hoping to mitigate concerns environmentalists have about harmful effects non ferrous mining has, including loss of wetlands and wilderness, as well as acid drainage that could damage local water basins for hundreds of years.
Once the revised E-S is passed, the project could quickly become reality, with just a final draft of an E-S yet to be approved.
"Once the record of decision has been done on the final impact statement then permits will be issued."
Permits that have been long awaited by local residents.
For cities like Hoyt Lakes and Aurora, big projects like this also mean big opportunities for the communities.
Mayor Mary Hess of Aurora says residents here are as tired as PolyMet at playing the waiting game.
"Everyone is very anxious, it's been years and they have spent millions of dollars, and people are really looking forward to something happening out there," says Mayor Hess.
Hess says PolyMet is doing all they can to address concerns about the environmental impact a non ferrous mine could have.
She also says with non ferrous mining picking up steam, PolyMet isn't the only one that could help stimulate Aurora and the communities.
"I've also talked to other companies that may have interest, you know if PolyMet goes there are other deposits out there and there are other companies that are interested in too, so we are very excited about it," says Mayor Hess.
PolyMet says more than 4 hundred permanent jobs will be available if all goes well.
