Today, the Minnesota Court of Appeals announced its unanimous ruling in favor of Minnesota’s nonferrous mining rules. This decision ensures PolyMet’s NorthMet project can continue to take the necessary steps toward the safe operation of our state’s first copper, nickel and precious mine.

Earlier this year, PolyMet became the first company to obtain all Federal and State permits to develop and operate a copper-nickel-precious metals mine in northeast Minnesota. When State of Minnesota permits were issued in late 2018, the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness filed a case against the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, challenging the administrative rules that guided decisions regarding permits for the NorthMet project.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals rightfully concluded that the rules were valid, as were the standards under which PolyMet received its permits. Every step of the way, PolyMet has demonstrated it can meet or exceed our state’s strict environmental standards. We can mine precious metals here – better – in our backyard.