PolyMet should not be the only pollution concern

PolyMet should not be the only pollution concern
PolyMet is the first company to present an environmental impact statement to mine low-grade, sulfide-containing mineral ores.

PolyMet is the first company to present an environmental impact statement to mine low-grade, sulfide-containing mineral ores. PolyMet has stated it would do what’s necessary to comply with the existing 10 milligrams per liter standard for sulfates.

However, if that standard could be increased, it could potentially pave the way for other companies — such as Twin Metals and Franconia — that have been conducting exploratory drilling further north, nearer the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness.

Not that the roughly 1,500 acres of wetland that would be displaced by the proposed PolyMet mine isn’t important; it is, but increasing the sulfate standard and the potential of mining near the BWCAW, where sulfate pollution could flow into the BWCAW, would have serious impacts on both the area’s tourism and wildlife.

Matt Noll