Labor organizations brought in scores of PolyMet supporters and area communities and Chambers of Commerce also sent delegations to Aurora Wednesday night for the first of two public meetings on the project.
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Supporters of a proposed copper-nickel mining project on Minnesota's Iron Range are touting the jobs the $600 million PolyMet mine would create.
Labor organizations brought in scores of PolyMet supporters and area communities and Chambers of Commerce also sent delegations to Aurora Wednesday night for the first of two public meetings on the project.
Supporter Steve Ryan said, "We need the jobs."
The proposal would create two open pit mines to recover copper and nickel. The PolyMet project is expcted to create 400 new jobs and an estimated 500 additional spin-off jobs in northeastern Minnesota, where the area's mining economy is still suffering from the recession.
But opponents worry about increased air emissions and potential damage to wetlands.
A second meeting is set Thursday night in Blaine.
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