Long-delayed Minnesota copper-nickel mining project wins a round in court after several setbacks

By STEVE KARNOWSKI
Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals has affirmed a decision by state regulators to grant a major permit for the proposed NewRange copper-nickel mine. Monday’s ruling says the state adequately considered the possibility that developers might expand the project when they issued its air emissions permit. It was a win for NewRange Copper Nickel, which remains stalled by court and regulatory setbacks. The $1 billion project is still widely known by its old name, PolyMet. A coalition of environmental groups had accused the developers of “sham permitting,” pointing to securities filings that discussed the potential for a much bigger mine than officially planned.