IRRRB Commissioner Mark Phillips shares thoughts on Polymet, Twin Metals

Mark Phillips, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation toured Cook County this week, along with Senator Tom Bakk and Representative Rob Ecklund. Phillips and the legislators spoke with county commissioners at a board meeting, attended a luncheon with the business leaders at Cascade Resort and joined the community at a Gala hosted by the Cook County Chamber of Commerce and Visit Cook County.

Part of the multiday visit included a listening session at Grand Marais City Hall.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence was there and she shares some of the discussion—first on the history of the Iron Range, the IRRRB’s role there and about some of the ways the Iron Range Resources agency has worked with communities, including Cook County. Listen to that discussion here.

WTIP also asked Commissioner Phillips about the future of mining in Minnesota—particularly about the impact of the Polymet and Twin Metals copper-nickel mining projects. Listen to the commissioner’s response here.