Karin Housley on Environment

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.