VirtualOptics

Dr. Michael Berry on Discovery Investing

I'm happy to see someone with credentials has finally discovered PolyMet. I, too, believe that they will get the environmental license because their process has been demonstrated to produce metals without returning sulfuric acid to the groundwater. A major reason for this is that they have: 1) less excess sulfuric acid produced by their electrolytic process; and 2) what sulfuric acid that is produced will be reacted in the leach field which is composed of taconite tailings from Cleveland Cliffs old factory from the 1960s-70s era. The product from this reaction is gypsum that is the material wallboard is manufactured.

This part of the picture has not been painted by the company because they are miners, not wallboard makers. This leaves the door open for other investors to step in later. But even cleaning up the old taconite tailings will please the Minnesota Environmental agency...making it a product that will be hauled away is even better.

While this mining picture has been painted around gold, the other metals to be recovered may pay off even bigger: nickel, copper, silver, platinum, and real sleeper...iron. This iron that is produced is so pure that it will be in demand for pharmacutical use and reactive materials (chemical processes).

A news release from late 2007 summarizes the environment steps being taken:
"
One purpose of the EIS process is to consider modifications to operating plans that would result in better environmental outcomes. As a result, during the last several months, PolyMet has incorporated several significant improvements such as:

• Minimize wetland impacts. The mining schedule will be modified to allow waste rock backfilling in mined-out portions of the pit and the overburden stockpile will be eliminated so that wetland impacts will be reduced;

• Zero surface water discharge. Mine site water will be collected, treated, and pumped to the plant site where it will be used as process water resulting in zero surface water discharge and a reduced requirement for makeup water; and

• Minimize air emissions. Air emission controls at the crushing and concentrating plants will utilize the best available control technology, going beyond what is required by statute."

Anyone interested in learning more about Polymet can visit their fascinating web site: www.polymetmining.com/ and join me as an investor!