The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency sent revised PolyMet air and water quality permits to the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday.
While not a final decision of the PCA, it represents progress for the company’s proposed copper-nickel mine near Hoyt Lakes.
In a news release, the agency cited changes it made to the permits in response to public comments.
"The air and water pollution permits submitted to EPA today are based on a financially impossible version of the PolyMet proposal," said Lee in the press release.
"PolyMet’s own financial study shows that PolyMet’s real plan is to build a mega-mine that mines four times as fast.
Aaron Klemz, the director of public engagement for the center said PolyMet’s new plan, which was submitted in March "changed the way they would do mining operations."
This is the penultimate step before a final decision on the permits will be made.
The air and water permits are two of more than 20 that PolyMet needs before it can begin construction.
One of those includes a wetlands replacement permit, a water appropriations permit, and permit to mine from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which is still pending.
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