🕐19.09.11 - 16:54 Uhr
WG: POLYMET UPDATES PROGRESS ON NORTHMET ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Von: Marketwire [mailto:]
Gesendet: Montag, 19.
September 2011 14:42
An:
Betreff: PolyMet Updates Progress on NorthMet Environmental Review
Das Bild wurde vom Absender entfernt.
Marketwire
Das Bild wurde vom Absender entfernt.
PolyMet Mining Corp.
TSX:
POM
NYSE Amex:
PLM
Other Recent News
September 19, 2011
PolyMet Updates Progress on NorthMet Environmental Review
Governor Announces State Mining Coordinator and Sub-Cabinet to Oversee
Process
HOYT LAKES, MINNESOTA--(Marketwire - Sept.
19, 2011) - PolyMet Mining Corp.
(TSX:POM)(NYSE Amex:PLM) ("PolyMet" or the "Company") today reported on
progress in the environmental review and permitting process for its NorthMet
project.
PolyMet controls 100% of the development-stage NorthMet
copper-nickel-precious metals ore-body and the nearby Erie Plant, located
near Hoyt Lakes in the established mining district of the Mesabi Iron Range
in northeastern Minnesota.
Environmental Review Process & Update
In June 2010, the state and federal agencies engaged in the environmental
review process agreed to prepare a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact
Statement ("EIS") that would build on the Draft EIS published in October
2009 in order to clarify the proposed project and address concerns expressed
by the US Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and others.
The SDEIS will incorporate the proposed exchange of forests, wetlands, and
lakes with high recreational value, most of which are now owned by PolyMet,
for surface rights held by the U.S.
Forest Service ("USFS") at the NorthMet
mine site.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ("DNR"), U.S.
Army Corps.
of
Engineers ("USACE") and the USFS are the Lead Agencies responsible for
preparation of the SDEIS, while the EPA is a Cooperating Agency and actively
involved in review of the SDEIS.
The SDEIS, which is being prepared by an environmental consulting firm on
behalf of the Lead Agencies, is expected to be completed in January 2012.
Completion is taking longer than was anticipated due to the time the Lead
Agencies have spent receiving and considering input from Cooperating and
Regulating Agencies during the planning process.
This is an important step
in producing an adequate and defensible SDEIS.
In addition, some time was
lost because of the state government shutdown in July.
Once the SDEIS is complete, the Lead Agencies will review it with the
Cooperating Agencies, Regulating Agencies and PolyMet.
The Lead Agencies
expect the SDEIS to be finalized in April with formal publication taking
place later in the second quarter of 2012.
State of Minnesota Mining Coordinator and Sub-Cabinet Initiatives
Governor Mark Dayton has announced important strengthening of the states
management of the environmental review and permitting process for mining
projects.
Governor Daytons initiative comprises two elements:
-- Creation of a Mining Coordinator position to oversee and coordinate the
environmental review and permitting process for mining projects.
Brian
Hiti, Deputy Commissioner of the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation
Board ("IRRRB"), will fill the position on an interim basis until a
permanent appointment is made.
-- Creation of a Mining Sub-Cabinet comprised of the Commissioners of the
DNR, the Pollution Control Agency ("PCA"), the Department of Employment
and Economic Development ("DEED"), and the IRRRB.
Tony Sertich,
Commissioner of the IRRRB, will be the Chair of the Sub-Cabinet.
The Mining Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that the agencies
that deal with mining issues are achieving their deadlines, and that there
is state and federal coordination on projects.
Commissioner Sertich has stated "the governor is serious about making the
system work better."
Brad Moore, PolyMets Executive Vice-President Environment and Government
Relations, stated, "The environmental review process for mining projects is
complex.
Having a point-person who can work with all of the state and
federal agencies to ensure that the work is done thoroughly and
expeditiously is an important and significant improvement in completing the
NorthMet EIS process."
About PolyMet
PolyMet Mining Corp.
(www.polymetmining.com) is a publicly-traded mine
development company that controls 100% of the NorthMet
copper-nickel-precious metals ore body through a long-term lease and owns
100% of the Erie Plant, a large processing facility located approximately
six miles from the ore body in the established mining district of the Mesabi
Range in northeastern Minnesota.
PolyMet Mining Corp.
has completed its
Definitive Feasibility Study and is seeking environmental and operating
permits to enable it to commence production.
The NorthMet project is
expected to require approximately one-and-a-quarter million hours of
construction labor and create approximately 360 long-term jobs, a level of
activity that will have a significant multiplier effect in the local
economy.
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning
anticipated developments in PolyMets operations in the future.
Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by
words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates,"
"potential," "possible," "projects," "plans," and similar expressions, or
statements that events, conditions or results "will," "may," "could," or
"should" occur or be achieved or their negatives or other comparable words.
These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding our
beliefs related to the expected proceeds and closing of the registered
direct offering, exploration results and budgets, reserve estimates, mineral
resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, actions by
government authorities, including changes in government regulation, the
market price of natural resources, costs, or other statements that are not a
statement of fact.
Forward-looking statements address future events and
conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties.
Actual
results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements
due to risks facing PolyMet or due to actual facts differing from the
assumptions underlying its predictions.
PolyMets forward-looking statements
are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the
date the statements are made, and PolyMet does not assume any obligation to
update forward-looking statements if circumstances or managements beliefs,
expectations and opinions should change.
Specific reference is made to PolyMets most recent Annual Report on Form
20-F for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011 and in our other filings
with Canadian securities authorities and the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including our Report on Form 6-K providing information with
respect to our operations for the year ended January 31, 2011 for a
discussion of some of the risk factors and other considerations underlying
forward-looking statements.
The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy
or accuracy of this release.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Corporate Media
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Douglas Newby
Chief Financial Officer
+1 (212) 867-1834
or
PolyMet Mining Corp.
LaTisha Gietzen
VP Public, Govt & Environmental Affairs
+1 (218) 225-4417
or
Investors
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Crystal Agresti
+1 (845) 742-8153
or
PolyMet Mining Corp.
Alex Macdougall
+1 (226) 663-3000
www.polymetmining.com
INDUSTRY: Manufacturing and Production - Mining and Metals
Das Bild wurde vom Absender entfernt.
Footer
If you no longer want to receive announcements from us, please do not reply
to this e-mail.
Instead simply click here.