Swiss-based Glencore takes controlling stake in PolyMet mine

National Business

Swiss-based Glencore takes controlling stake in PolyMet mine

The Associated Press

June 27, 2019 10:00 AM

ORDER REPRINT

FILE – This Feb. 10, 2016, file photo, shows a former iron ore processing plant near Hoyt Lakes, Minn., that would become part of a proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine. Environmental Protection Agency documents show that its staffers were critical of how Minnesota regulators drafted a key permit for the planned PolyMet copper-nickel mine. And they show the EPA officials concluded the permit would violate federal law because it lacked specific water pollution limits. The EPA released the documents after a court challenge by WaterLegacy. Environmental attorney Paula Maccabee says the EPA’s concerns weren’t reflected in PolyMet’s final water pollution permit.


Jim Mone, File

AP Photo


ST. PAUL, Minn.

Swiss-based global commodities giant Glencore AG says it’s taking a 72% stake in PolyMet Mining, gaining majority control over what’s slated to become Minnesota’s first copper-nickel mine.

PolyMet announced Thursday that Glencore’s stake will rise from its current 29 percent after the completion of stock offering to shareholders that cleared its balance sheet of debt. Glencore has long been the largest investor in the planned open-pit mine near Babbitt.

PolyMet is formally based in Toronto but is run from St. Paul with an operational headquarters at the processing plant site near Hoyt Lakes. The company received the last federal permit it needed in March, after securing its state permits last year, and is now raising close to $1 billion in construction financing.

Environmental groups are challenging the project in court.

Unlimited Digital Access: Only $0.99 For Your First Month

Get full access to The Bellingham Herald content across all your devices.

SAVE NOW

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.