Polyment Cuts Jobs Before Plant Opens

(AP)  There will be no finished copper produced at the proposed Hoyt Lakes Mine. 

Parent company Polymet says cutting the production from the proposal will save $127 million.  It will also mean that 10 percent of the jobs have also been cut.

The company plans to produce metal concentrates that would be processed off-site.  The second phase would process nickel concentrate, also off-site.

In addition to cutting costs, the changes would reduce environmental impacts. 

Eighth District Congressman Chip Cravaack has made opening the plant a top priority.  He wants to hold a closed-door meeting with all interested parties.