State regulators on Thursday announced the start of the next phase in the long-running review of Minnesota's first proposed copper-nickel mine — a public hearing April 19 in Aurora, Minn., to explain the upcoming permitting process.

Officials from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies will explain the types of permits that may be required. Executives from PolyMet Mining Corp., which has proposed the $650 million project near Hoyt Lakes, will attend to answer questions about public safety and environmental concerns.

Local government officials from Babbitt, Aurora and Hoyt Lakes will also participate.

Officials from PolyMet, a Toronto-based mining company partly owned by the global mining giant Glencore, said they plan to submit permit applications sometime after the public meeting.

In February, PolyMet won state approval of a 10-year environmental review of the proposed open pit mine. In the coming months it is expected to negotiate permits on air and water protection, and how much money the company will have to provide to protect taxpayers from environmental risks that could last hundreds of years into the future.

In addition to obtaining state permits, PolyMet will need to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for construction costs at a time when the copper industry faces a major downturn globally.

The public meeting is scheduled for 6-8:30 p.m. at Mesabi East High School in Aurora.

Josephine Marcotty • 612-673-7394