Proposed mine project meeting attracts hundreds

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — Hundreds of people are packing a public forum on a proposed copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota.

An estimated 1,500 people turned out in Duluth Thursday night for the first of three forums on PolyMet Mining Corporation's proposed open-pit mine near Babbitt.

The Star Tribune reports people started streaming into the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center before 5 p.m. No signs were allowed, but most sported stickers that said either "I support jobs," or "Who Pays for Pollution?"

Environmental groups say copper-nickel mining carries unacceptable risks for the St. Louis River watershed and Lake Superior. But supporters hope PolyMet signals the return of high-paying jobs to Minnesota's Iron Range.

Similar meetings are scheduled for Aurora on January 22nd and St. Paul on January 28th.