PolyMet Mining Corp. (TSX:POM)(NYSE MKT:PLM)(NYSE Amex:PLM)
("PolyMet" or the "Company") today reported that it has hired Foth
Infrastructure & Environment ("Foth") to assist in completion
of the NorthMet environmental review and permitting process.
Separately, PolyMet has completed a mine site groundwater
monitoring program in order to addresses concerns expressed by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") in its review of the
2009 Draft Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS").
PolyMet owns 100% of the NorthMet Project, which comprises the
development-stage NorthMet copper-nickel-precious metals ore-body
and the nearby Erie Plant, located near Hoyt Lakes in the
established mining district of the Mesabi Iron Range in
northeastern Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources ("DNR"), the U.S. Forest Service ("USFS") and the U.S.
Army Corp, of Engineers ("USACE") are Lead Agencies and the EPA is
a co-operating Agency in the preparation of the Supplemental Draft
EIS.
Foth Infrastructure & Environment
Foth is a recognized leader in environmental review and
permitting with a nationwide reputation for successful permitting
of nonferrous mining projects in the upper Midwest. In particular,
Foth was the lead consultant that secured the environmental permits
for the Kennecott Eagle nickel and copper mine in Michigan and the
Flambeau Copper Mine in Wisconsin.
"I am very excited to have Foth join our permitting team," said
Jon Cherry, president and CEO of PolyMet. "Foth's key role is to
provide strategic advice related to securing the permits necessary
to construct and operate the NorthMet Project in an environmentally
sound manner, as well as to ensure appropriate quality of permit
submittals."
Foth is conducting a high-level review of input to the NorthMet
SDEIS, working with other consulting firms including
Minnesota-based Barr Engineering, which will continue critical
environmental design, engineering and permitting work for the
project. Foth's experience in locations similar to those found in
Northeastern Minnesota, combined with Barr Engineering's experience
in Iron Range mining projects, creates a very strong team.
"Foth is very pleased to be working on this high quality
copper-nickel project in the Midwest. I am confident that the
successful permitting experiences we have had on these types of
mines, combined with the historic and ongoing experience of Barr
Engineering, will bring the PolyMet permits across the finish
line," said Steve Donohue, Director at Foth.
Groundwater Monitoring
In 2011, PolyMet decided to undertake additional groundwater
monitoring at the NorthMet mine site in order to address EPA
concerns about the dataset used in the 2009 Draft EIS. The initial
program, comprising monthly sampling and analysis from 24
monitoring wells, was agreed with the EPA in October 2011. PolyMet
has successfully completed the agreed program and the requirements
set out in the agreement with the EPA have been met.
"Part of the function of the SDEIS is to address concerns raised
by the EPA and others in their review of the 2009 Draft EIS.
Exhaustive review of the inputs to the SDEIS is essential to ensure
that the environmental review and permitting process is accurate,
thorough, and defensible," Mr. Cherry observed. "The current focus
is to finalize engineering controls needed to demonstrate the
project will meet all applicable compliance standards. Once these
design details are finalized they will be incorporated into a draft
SDEIS for final review by Lead and co-operating Agencies prior to
publication of the SDEIS for public review."
About PolyMet
PolyMet Mining Corp. (www.polymetmining.com) is a
publicly-traded mine development company that owns 100% of Poly Met
Mining, Inc., a Minnesota corporation that controls 100% of the
NorthMet copper-nickel-precious metals ore body through a long-term
lease and owns 100% of the Erie Plant, a large processing facility
located approximately six miles from the ore body in the
established mining district of the Mesabi Range in northeastern
Minnesota. Poly Met Mining, Inc. has completed its Definitive
Feasibility Study and is seeking environmental and operating
permits to enable it to commence production. The NorthMet project
is expected to require approximately one-and-a-quarter million
hours of construction labor at the plant site and an additional
three-quarters of a million hours of construction labor preparing
the mine site, creating approximately 360 long-term jobs, a level
of activity that will have a significant multiplier effect in the
local economy.
Jon Cherry, CEO
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements
concerning anticipated developments in PolyMet's operations in the
future. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always,
identified by words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes,"
"intends," "estimates," "potential," "possible," "projects,"
"plans," and similar expressions, or statements that events,
conditions or results "will," "may," "could," or "should" occur or
be achieved or their negatives or other comparable words. These
forward-looking statements may include statements regarding our
beliefs related to exploration results and budgets, reserve
estimates, mineral resource estimates, work programs, capital
expenditures, actions by government authorities, including changes
in government regulation, the market price of natural resources,
costs, ability to receive environmental and operating permits, job
creation, or other statements that are not a statement of fact.
Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and
therefore involve inherent known and unknown risks and
uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements due to risks facing PolyMet or due
to actual facts differing from the assumptions underlying its
predictions.
In connection with the forward-looking information contained in
this news release, PolyMet has made numerous assumptions,
regarding, among other things: the geological, metallurgical,
engineering, financial and economic advice that PolyMet has
received is reliable, and is based upon practices and methodologies
which are consistent with industry standards. While PolyMet
considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are
inherently subject to significant uncertainties and
contingencies.
PolyMet's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs,
expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements
are made, and PolyMet does not assume any obligation to update
forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's
beliefs, expectations and opinions should change.
Specific reference is made to PolyMet's most recent Annual
Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012 and
in our other filings with Canadian securities authorities and the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Report on
Form 6-K providing information with respect to our operations for
the three months ended July 31, 2012 for a discussion of some of
the risk factors and other considerations underlying
forward-looking statements.
The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts: PolyMet Mining Corp. - Corporate Douglas Newby Chief
Financial Officer +1 (651) 389-4105dnewby@polymetmining.com PolyMet
Mining Corp. - Media LaTisha Gietzen VP Public, Gov't &
Environmental Affairs +1 (218) 225-4417lgietzen@polymetmining.com
PolyMet Mining Corp. - Investors Jenny Knudson VP - Investor
Relations +1 (651) 389-4110jknudson@polymetmining.com PolyMet
Mining Corp. - Investors Alex Macdougall IR Consultant +1 (226)
663-3000amacdougall@polymetmining.com www.polymetmining.com
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