Judge: DNR shouldn't reissue key permit for northern Minnesota copper-nickel mine

(St. Paul, MN)  --  An administrative law judge is recommending that state environmental officials don't reissue a permit for a proposed northern Minnesota copper-nickel mine.  

PolyMet is now known as NewRange Copper Nickel LLC.  

Judge James LaFave issued a 40-page ruling recommending the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources deny a permit for the NorthMet Project because the company cannot effectively contain pollution from mining waste.  

The DNR's commissioner can now take or leave LaFave's recommendation and choose to grant or deny the applications.