Editorial Essay: Sulfide Mining – 1/10/07

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Let’s look at the pros and cons of the proposal to drill a nickel and copper mine under the Salmon Trout River in northern Marquette County, where many of the residents are either moose or bear.

Kennecott Minerals Company says their mine would create about 120 good-paying jobs, in a region where people are scare and good-paying jobs are scarcer. That’s the upside.

On the downside is that the big dig, which Kennecott calls the Eagle Mine, would only operate for six to eight years, after which the ore would be gone and the jobs would go away.

But that may not be the only problem. Though the mine proposal received tentative approval this week, nobody really knows what the long-term environmental effect would be.
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STUPAK STATEMENT ON THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY RULING ON KENNECOTT MINE

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01/10/07 WASHINGTON – The following statement regarding the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s ruling on the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company’s proposal for sulfide mining in Marquette County, may be attributed to Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee):

“While I support mining, which has benefited the Upper Peninsula economy, the sulfide mining process raises questions that must be addressed. I remain concerned that the proposed mine could have a negative effect on the Lake Superior watershed, the Yellow Dog River, the local community and the ecology of the area.

“The proposed mine should only be approved if the Kennecott Company can prove that their operations will not degrade the water, resources and public health of northern Marquette County. The Kennecott Company should also be willing to provide financial assurance up front in case future environmental remediation is necessary.”

Preliminary Kennecott decision: Mine permit OK’d

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The Mining Journal
By JOHN PEPIN, Journal Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, January 09, 2007

MARQUETTE — The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality gave preliminary approval of permits for a controversial Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company underground nickel mine on the Yellow Dog Plains in northern Marquette County.

More public comment and hearings will be held before a final decision on whether to grant the mining company’s mining, air and water quality permits is made by the DEQ later this year.

“We have made a preliminary decision that this project meets conditions under the law,” said Robert McCann, a DEQ spokesman in Lansing.

The DEQ decision announced today follows an extensive review of Kennecott’s application, supporting documents and public input on the project.

“Kennecott is very pleased with the DEQ’s preliminary decision,” said Jon Cherry, Kennecott’s manager of environment and government affairs. “We look forward to the remainder of the process.”
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DEQ disappoints with proposed mine approval

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January 9, 2007

Failures in permit application overlooked by Governor’s regulators

Despite a seriously flawed permit application and the wishes of thousands of residents, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality granted preliminary approval today to the Kennecott Minerals Co. plan to drill into sulfide rock below the Yellow Dog Plains in northwestern Marquette County.

The DEQ will now continue its technical review and, by law, will make a final decision following another public hearing and comment period. The issuance or final denial of the permit will determine whether the project moves forward.

A host of local groups, including the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, Save the Wild UP, Huron Mountain Club, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and others who have been joined in recent months by statewide environmental groups in advocating for a proposed denial, say this proposed decision is wrong for Michigan. Continue reading →

SWUP Timeline

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