PolyMet Mine Water Permit Blocked by Court, Agency Must Review

PolyMet Mining Corp.'s application for a water permit at its much-debated NorthMet mining project in Minnesota was blocked by an appellate court even though several aspects of its plan were affirmed.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday remanded the matter of approval to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, which must reevaluate any potential groundwater contamination to ensure compliance with the federal Clean Water Act.

The opinion is the latest legal development regarding the proposed 19,000-acre mine, which if constructed would be Minnesota’s first commercial copper, nickel, and precious metals mine. The mine would be located southwest of the Boundary ...