After review, due investigation, and consideration of public comments and based on the information contained in the permit applications, and pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 93.44 to 93.51, the DNR issued the permit to mine (PTM) for NorthMet’s mining project on November 1, 2018. The approved 2018 PTM includes special conditions for mineland reclamation, wetland replacement plans, and financial assurance. NorthMet’s applications and DNR’s special conditions together are considered the PTM.
The NorthMet 2018 PTM was granted to develop a mine to extract copper-nickel and platinum-group elements from the NorthMet Deposit located near Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. Under the 2018 permit to mine, the project includes an open-pit mine and waste rock stockpiles, a processing plant, a tailings basin, and utilizes an existing seven-mile railroad and utilities corridor to transport ore between the proposed mine and the current processing facility.
The NorthMet 2018 PTM permit includes a comprehensive, PolyMet-funded financial assurance package designed to provide sufficient funds for the DNR to reclaim and close the mine and plant site in the event that PolyMet should fail to do so. The financial assurance package has been thoroughly vetted by independent financial experts and provides comprehensive protection for Minnesota.
DNR technical staff along with its consultants reviewed the application details to determine whether the project as proposed is designed to meet state standards, provides appropriate financial assurance, and incorporates the environmental protections outlined in the Environmental Impact Statement. Following review of PolyMet's permit to mine application, DNR prepared draft special conditions for the application. Following review of comments received during the public comment and objection period, the DNR developed final special conditions for the application. Together, the application and the special conditions are considered the permit to mine for the NorthMet project.
This page will be regularly updated when more information is available.
- Permit to Mine
- The purpose of a permit to mine is to control the possible adverse environmental effects of mining by ensuring orderly construction and development of a mine, sound operational practices, and progressive reclamation of mined areas. This permit ensures that a mine is developed in a manner that facilitates future land uses. A permit to mine also includes provisions that govern wetland impacts and mitigation, and it is the key permit for setting financial assurance requirements for a mine.
The NorthMet permit to mine permit includes a comprehensive, PolyMet-funded financial assurance package designed to provide sufficient funds for the DNR to reclaim and close the mine and plant site in the event that PolyMet should fail to do so. The financial assurance package has been thoroughly vetted by independent financial experts and provides comprehensive protections for Minnesota.
- Dam safety permits
- DNR's Dam Safety Permit Program is required to regulate the construction, operation and maintenance of dams to protect public health, safety and welfare. The DNR regulates the construction and enlargement of dams, repair, alteration, maintenance, operation, abandonment and transfer of ownership through the dam safety permitting process. Minnesota Rules establish minimum standards and criteria for dam classification and regulation. These cover both initial permitting and ongoing regulatory oversight. These actions are administered and monitored by the DNR Dam Safety Unit.
One dam safety permit covers the proposed flotation tailings basin, which will be located on the site of the existing tailings basin of the historic LTV iron ore mine and will receive tailings (a mixture of finely ground waste rock and water). The second dam safety permit covers the proposed hydrometallurgical residue facility, which will receive residue (mostly gypsum) generated from a process that will use pressure and temperature reactions to extract additional precious metals beyond what can be achieved by the primary processing facility.
- Water appropriation permits
- Minnesota law directs the DNR to manage water resources to provide for reasonable use while ensuring long-term sustainability and natural resource protection. The NorthMet project requires six water appropriation permits for various construction and operation activities at the mine site and plant site.
- Endangered and threatened species takings permit
- Minnesota’s Endangered Species Law prohibits the take of endangered or threatened plants or animals without a permit from the DNR. The DNR’s Division of Ecological and Water Resources manages these permits. This includes takings that are due to a development project, such as the NorthMet Mining Project.
Applications are considered when the proposer provides justification that all alternatives to the proposed take have been considered and rejected, and that the taking is unavoidable. Permits, if issued, must include compensatory mitigation that will result in a net benefit to the species taken, and must be approved by the DNR Commissioner.
Please follow the link for more information on the DNR’s Endangered and Threatened Species Permits process.
- Public waters work permit
- The DNR Public Waters Work Permit Program applies to those lakes, wetlands, and streams identified on DNR Public Water Inventory maps. Proposed projects affecting the course, current, or cross-section of these water bodies may require a Public Waters Work Permit from the DNR and permits from other agencies.
Under Minnesota Statute 103G.245, Subdivision 1 (except as provided in Subdivisions 2, 11, and 12), the state, a political subdivision of the state, a public or private corporation, or a person, must have a DNR Public Waters Work Permit to:
construct, reconstruct, remove, abandon, transfer ownership of, or make any change in a reservoir, dam, or waterway obstruction on public waters; or
change or diminish the course, current, or cross section of public waters, entirely or partially within the state, by any means, including filling, excavating, or placing of materials in or on the beds of public waters.
The DNR completed its comprehensive review of the company’s public waters work permit application. This draft permit is for a culvert extension to widen Dunka Road, the connecting road between the NorthMet plant site and mine site.
Reference documents
Permitting, approvals and quarterly updates
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