PolyMet MiningAustin Kindt

PolyMet Background• Where is PolyMet based out of?

Based in Minnesota with corporate location in Toronto, Canada

• How new is the company?PolyMet began in1981

• Do they have prior experience with this type of mining?No they do not

• What company has the most invested in PolyMet?Glencore

My Research Thus far

• Examples:A lot of great articles covering the many topics I have presented. Most interestingly has been the health concerns in the Duluth News Tribune.

• Locations:Solar, Duluth News Tribune, broad searches, Medical JournalsCSS Library, Home, Coffee Shops, UMD Political Debate

• Problems with Peer Review sources: Many are hard to find that are understandableToo few on the subject More recent problems that have come up will not have peer reviewed source material

What is sulfide mining?

• How does the process work?Open Pit Mininghttp://www.mprnews.org/story/2009/10/22/polymet-mine

• What kinds of metals are extracted?Copper, Nickel, Cobalt, Silver, Platinum, Titanium, Palladium, Gold, and others

“Cellphones contain nine minerals including copper, gold, palladium and platinum, along with a variety of petroleum products” (SME Foundation)

• What is the track record of prior sulfide mining operations?Majority of sulfide mining has negatively affected nearby watersheds

Breaking down the resourcesPolyMet Annual estimation for metal production

Average Male African Bush Elephant Weighs 6 tons

Copper: 39,000 tonsNickel: 9,000 tons Cobalt: 400 tons

Platinum: 1,375 lbsPalladium: 5,437.5 lbs

Gold: 862.5 lbs

If we are pumping out oil, why not do the same for sulfide mining?

• Short term and long term environmental impacts

• World Governments have been implementing carbon free renewable energy programs

“America’s reliance on foreign minerals has more than doubled in the past 30 years”

How has PolyMet addressed concerns?

• Revised proposal on their website

• Allowed the public to voice concerns

• New technology to contain leakage and treat contaminated water

Has PolyMet provided sufficient arguments that the environment won’t be significantly harmed?

My Answer

• The issue is not if they can or cant, instead the question should be raised; can we regulate them?

• MN DNR, CORPS of Engineers, and U.S. Forest Service released a thousand plus page document addressing EPA concerns

• “The project is not predicted to result in any significant changes to ground water and surface water flows when compared to existing conditions“ (SDEIS)

The Duluth Complex

Closed LTV Mining SiteHoyt Lakes, Minnesota

6 miles away from the NorthMet Ore Body

PolyMet plans to refurbish the mining site as it makes more sense economically in comparison to creating a new one. In a way this would lessen the environmental impact. Will also utilize rail cars back and forth between the three mine sites.

Does PolyMet have sufficient resources to provide ongoing efforts to clean up any environmental contamination and damage?

• Bankruptcy proof funding, established during permitting to ensure funds are available to finance all closure and reclamation activities

• Past mining operations have gone bankrupt

• Treatment at mine site two hundred years, five hundred years at plant site

• Flambeau Mine success story in Wisconsin

• Financially backed up by Glencore who own 18% of the company. They are like the Monsanto of mining

Recent opinions in the Duluth News Tribune

• What concerns have been raised?

• What would be the benefits to the local cities and state of Minnesota?

• Health concerns surrounding PolyMet. For example: Should there be health studies done?

Do the benefits to Minnesota outweigh the potential risks?

I personally believe that the benefits outweigh the risks, if PolyMet’s operations can be regulated.This is why:

• PolyMet Mining will generate an estimated $515 million in wages, benefits, and spending in St. Louis County

• Federal, state, and local taxes from the project would total near $80 million annually

• $15 million annually in state tax revenue

• $45 million annually in federal tax revenue

• School trust lands

Duluth politics and differing views

• DFL Jennifer Schultz: favors miningEconomic growth vs Environmental Damage

• Green Party Kristine Osbakken: Very much opposed to sulfide mining

• Republican Becky Hall: In favor of mining, similar to Schultz with less restrictions

Why is it that the environmental impact matters when its close to home, but not so much attention is given to mining overseas?

• Many wealthy nations tend to push or send their pollutants elsewhere to developing countries

• It is easier not to think about what is occurring across the globe

• Most of the environmental impact is localized and not towards the global environment

Where do we go from here?

Mining is woven into every day life here. Supporting generations of workers and their families, and building the communities in which they live. This process has made me think and care about a large

issue that is close by, in our own backyard.