2017-18 Special Election for U.S. Senate in Minnesota: on Environment

Karin Housley: Unequivocal support for PolyMet copper-nickel mine

The land exchange is a prerequisite for PolyMet to build a copper-nickel mine--the first mine of its kind in Minnesota--near Hoyt Lakes, on northeastern Minnesota's Iron Range.

Smith's would-be general election opponent, GOP state Sen. Karin Housley, says Smith doesn't truly have miners' interests at heart.

In a statement, Housley accused Smith of pandering and claimed that she has come around to PolyMet now that she is running statewide and needs to secure votes on the Iron Range.

"From the beginning, I have unequivocally supported the PolyMet proposal--and the hundreds of jobs that would come with it," Housley said.

Tina Smith: Open PolyMet copper-nickel mine in the Iron Range

The land exchange is a prerequisite for PolyMet to build a copper-nickel mine--the first mine of its kind in Minnesota--near Hoyt Lakes, on northeastern Minnesota's Iron Range. Smith and other supporters say the land swap has benefits to the region regardless of mining.

Environmental advocates and other critics, however, have argued the amendment would remove an obstacle to the operation of a mine they believe will have disastrous effects on the environment in the name of temporary and limited economic gain. Smith's would-be general election opponent, GOP state Sen. Karin Housley, says Smith is pandering, and doesn't truly have miners' interests at heart.