Environmental Stewardship

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESS

Before a mining project can get underway, it must go through a detailed analysis of potential impacts called environmental review. Once the environmental review process is complete, permits can be issued and construction can begin.

PolyMet's process is outlined below:

Draft Scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW): The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers worked with PolyMet to develop a draft EAW.

Scoping EAW: Once public comments were taken into consideration, state and federal regulators developed a final Scoping EAW that provided an outline for the detailed draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): This document analyzes in great detail all potential impacts, including environmental and socio-economic. To draft the EIS, the state of Minnesota hired an independent contractor, which is paid for by PolyMet. To date, PolyMet has submitted more than 100 technical reports to provide information for the EIS.

Supplemental EIS: A supplemental draft EIS is being prepared. The supplemental draft will build upon the existing draft EIS by:

• Defining and analyzing a specific project —not including numerous alternatives (Agency Preferred Alternative – APA)
• Fully incorporating the proposed land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
• Reflecting applicable comments received on the Draft EIS from the public and government agencies
• Integrating key project improvements, modifications, alternatives, and mitigation measures to minimize environmental impacts

The supplemental draft EIS will streamline the process and more clearly define the specific project that PolyMet expects to be permitted.

Environmental Impact Statement: State and federal regulators will review and respond to public comments on the EIS and make appropriate changes. Once the EIS is determined adequate by the state and Record of Decision (ROD) made by the Federal Agencies, permits can be issued.

Permits: The major permits that PolyMet will require include a Permit to Mine, an integrated State Disposal System (SDS)/National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, an Air Emission Permit and a Section 404 Permit for Wetland Impacts. These permits must be issued before PolyMet can begin construction.