PolyMet copper mine timetable slowed again

The proposed PolyMet copper mine in northeastern Minnesota is facing more delays in the timetable to finish its environmental review.

PolyMet's vice president of environmental and government affairs, Brad Moore, told the Duluth News Tribune on Tuesday that the mine's revised state-federal Environmental Impact Statement probably won't be completed until the second quarter of 2012.

That's months later than predicted by state and federal officials, including Congressman Chip Cravaack who said the statement would be ready by January.

Officials also predicted that operating permits for the mine could be issued in late 2012. But Moore says that probably won't happen until 2013.

Once permits are issued, construction would take about 14 months. Moore says any production isn't likely until 2014.

Protesters made their presence felt during a Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce meeting, yesterday. About 75 people carried signs, beat drums and sometimes heckled Chamber members as they entered and left a meeting at the Kitchi Gammi Club, where PolyMet President Joe Scipioni spoke.

Outside the club a large group of Ojibwe tribal members were joined by Duluth anti-mining activists and a few people from the Occupy Duluth movement.

Robert DesJarlait, founder of Protect Our Manoomin, said the rally sent a clear message to the northern Minnesota business community that many local residents question the potential environmental damage a copper mine could cause — even when weighed against jobs and economic growth. Manoomin is the Ojibwe word for wild rice.

Brad Moore, who is a former commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, said that he welcomed the protesters’ efforts as a “legitimate arena for a policy debate and a values discussion.”