EPA Investigation Finds Flawed Review of PolyMet Mine Permits

An internal Environmental Protection Agency investigation has found that the federal agency mishandled its oversight of permits for what would be Minnesota’s first copper-nickel mine.

The findings released Wednesday describe a flawed review of two permits issued for the $1 billion mine that PolyMet Mining Corp. wants to build near Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes.

The findings add more uncertainty to the stalled mine project. Many of the permits issued for the project so far have been suspended or are under review.