PolyMet Updates Filing of Interim Financial Statements

HOYT LAKES, MINNESOTA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/10/11 -- PolyMet Mining Corp. (TSX: POM)(NYSE Amex: PLM) ('PolyMet' or the 'Company') announced today that it now expects to file its interim financial statements, its management's discussion and analysis relating to the financial statements, and the CEO and CFO certifications (collectively, the 'Required Documents') for the period ended October 31, 2010 on or before January 14, 2011.

On December 14, 2010 the Company reported that it had encountered difficulties transferring to a new accounting and financial reporting system. Since the problems were identified, the Company has undertaken a thorough internal review of the new system and documentation of solutions to the problems.

The management cease trade order requested by the Company and granted by applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities continues to be in effect. Until the Required Documents are filed, PolyMet intends to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines in accordance with National Policy 12-203 - Cease Trade Orders for Continuous Disclosure Defaults.

There is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed.

Douglas Newby, Chief Financial Officer, stated, 'The problems we have encountered with implementing the new system relate to financial reporting. Our focus has been on completing our filings while complying with Sarbanes Oxley Act - Section 404. We have implemented changes and are in the process of implementing additional safeguards to prevent a repeat of these problems.'

About PolyMet

PolyMet Mining Corp. (www.polymetmining.com) is a publicly-traded mine development company that controls 100% of the NorthMet copper-nickel-precious metals ore body through a long-term lease and owns 100% of the Erie Plant, a large processing facility located approximately six miles from the ore body in the established mining district of the Mesabi Range in northeastern Minnesota. PolyMet Mining Corp. has completed its Definitive Feasibility Study and is seeking environmental and operating permits to enable it to commence production. The NorthMet project is expected to require approximately one and a half million hours of construction labor and create 400 long-term jobs, a level of activity that will have a significant multiplier effect in the local economy.

POLYMET MINING CORP.

Joe Scipioni, CEO

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning anticipated developments in PolyMet's operations in the future. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as 'expects', 'anticipates', 'believes', 'intends', 'estimates', 'potential', 'possible', 'projects', 'plans', and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results 'will', 'may', 'could', or 'should' occur or be achieved or their negatives or other comparable words. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding our beliefs related to the expected proceeds and closing of the registered direct offering, exploration results and budgets, reserve estimates, mineral resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, actions by government authorities, including changes in government regulation, the market price of natural resources, costs, or other statements that are not a statement of fact. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements due to risks facing PolyMet or due to actual facts differing from the assumptions underlying its predictions. PolyMet's forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and PolyMet does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations and opinions should change.

Specific reference is made to PolyMet's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010 and in our other filings with Canadian securities authorities and the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Report on Form 6-K providing information with respect to our operations for the six months ended July 31, 2010 for a discussion of some of the risk factors and other considerations underlying forward-looking statements.

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

PolyMet Mining Corp. - Corporate

Douglas Newby

Chief Financial Officer

1 (212) 867-1834
dnewby@polymetmining.com


PolyMet Mining Corp. - Media

LaTisha Gietzen

VP Public, Gov't & Environmental Affairs

1 (218) 225-4417
lgietzen@polymetmining.com


PolyMet Mining Corp. - Investors

Crystal Agresti

1 (845) 742-8153
cagresti@polymetmining.com


PolyMet Mining Corp. - Investors

Alex Macdougall

1 (226) 663-3000
amacdougall@polymetmining.com
www.polymetmining.com