ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA--(Marketwired - March 13, 2014) - PolyMet Mining Corp. ("PolyMet" or the "Company") (TSX:POM)(NYSE MKT:PLM) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued a EC-2 rating for the Company's NorthMet Project supplemental draft Environmental Impact Statement.
"This rating demonstrates the significant improvements PolyMet has made to the project in response to previous public and regulatory comments," said Jon Cherry, president and CEO. "The EPA review provides feedback and guidance to the co-lead agencies for enhancements to finalize the environmental review process. We will continue to work with the co-lead agencies to ensure they receive additional data or information that might be required to address the EPA's comments," Cherry said.
The EC rating is one of four possible, with the highest LO (Lack of Objections) typically reserved for conservation-related projects such as the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan Implementation. The EC (Environmental Concerns) rating is the same as received by some other notable Minnesota projects including the Central Corridor Light Rail Project in the Twin Cities, the St. Croix River Crossing, and several other major highway improvement and bridge projects.
The 90-day public comment period for the supplemental draft EIS ends today. The comment period included three well-attended meetings at which both supporters and opponents were able to air their views. Supporters included local community, business and labor representatives.
Over the next several months, the co-lead agencies will review and analyze all of the comments received and incorporate substantive comments into the final EIS. "PolyMet looks forward to responding to any outstanding questions and requests for information from the co-lead agencies in order to bring the environmental review process to a close," Cherry concluded.