Sen. Tina Smith’s PolyMet Land Swap Amendment Clears Senate

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A bill containing a provision from Sen. Tina Smith to complete a land exchange between PolyMet Mining Corp. and the federal government has cleared the Senate.

The Minnesota Democrat's amendment is part of a big defense bill that passed 85-10 Monday.

PolyMet needs the land for its planned copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. The company would get 6,650 acres of the Superior National Forest in return for about the same amount of private land.

The exchange isn't a done deal yet. The Senate bill has to be reconciled in a conference committee with the House version. If President Donald Trump signs the bill, it will bypass four pending lawsuits by environmental groups that oppose the swap.

The land exchange is due to close June 28.