Tag Archives: Mining & Exploration

Kennecott Eagle Minerals Announces Aerial Survey Program

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Kennecott Eagle Minerals Announces Aerial Survey Program

 ISHPEMING, Mich., November 9, 2011 —  Today, Kennecott Eagle Minerals announced a series of geophysical surveys to commence over Western and Central Upper Michigan.

The survey program is expected to start late November and continue for approximately three months. These surveys are part of the continuing exploration commitment by Kennecott in the Upper Peninsula.

The surveys will be completed using helicopters with geophysical equipment tethered behind the aircraft. The altitude of the helicopters will be low-level and will comply with Federal Transit Administration guidelines.

Residents will notice the helicopters flying over several U.P. counties. There are no materials being released into the environment.

Kennecott welcomes your questions and comments at kennecotteagleminerals.com/contact or by calling our Community Hotline at (906) 486-6970.

Media Contact:

Daniel Blondeau, Advisor – Communications and Media Relations

906. 468.1257 x 259 (O); 906.204.9985 (M); daniel.blondeau@riotinto.com

 

Wisconsin: Upper Peninsula pits offer perspective on Wisconsin mine proposal

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Ishpeming, Mich. – The Empire Mine is big and deep, spanning a mile across and plunging 1,200 feet to its lowest point.

Trucks that carry rock from the depths of the iron ore mine are the size of two-story houses and burn 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel a day.

Empire Mine

The electric bill from this massive mining complex in the Upper Peninsula is bigger than Continue reading →

Mining boom roils Upper Peninsula

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SPLIT DECISION: Dueling signs at the entrance to Shakey Lakes Park in Menominee County reflect the differing views sparked by a resurgence of mining interest and activity in the Upper Peninsula. (Bridge photo/Jeff Alexander)

Mining boom roils Upper Peninsula

03 November 2011

By Jeff Alexander/Bridge Magazine contributor

Ron and Carol Henriksen retired to the kind of place most people can only imagine — a riverfront house in an area of the Western Upper Peninsula that is so serene, the dominant sound is often the whisk of trees rustling in the wind.

After living in suburband Chicago for three decades, in the path of jets coming and going from O’Hare Airport, the Henriksens coveted peace and quiet.

“Our dream was to retire on our six acres of land along the Menominee River,” Ron Henriksen said. “I was going to fish, maybe raise some chickens; we were going to live happily ever after.”

Instead, they found themselves drawn into a raging debate over what could become a 21st century mining boom in the Upper Peninsula. Continue reading →

Mines begin digging into U.P. free of key state tax

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Mines begin digging into U.P. free of key state tax

01 November 2011

SEVERED FROM TAX: The Kennecott Eagle Mine near Marquette could generate as much $5 billion in nickel and copper — resources that would not fall under Michigan’s current severance tax for natural resources. (Courtesy photo)

In September, after years of heated debate and legal battles, Kennecott Eagle Minerals began blasting into the ground at its controversial nickel mine near Marquette.

The company, a subsidiary of London-based mining giant Rio Tinto, believes the Eagle mine will yield 300 million pounds of nickel and 250 million pounds of copper. Kennecott is one of several foreign firms pursuing what are believed to be large deposits of nickel, gold and other valuable metals found in bedrock underlying the western Upper Peninsula.

Those deposits could be worth billions of dollars, but the companies that extract them from the ground won’t pay a penny in severance taxes. By comparison, if Michigan treated the Kennecott mine the way Florida would, the state’s take could reach an additional $400 million.

Continue reading →

Tests find toxins at Flambeau mine

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By Lee Bergquist of the Journal Sentinel

11-1-11

Fourteen years after mining operations ended, water samples on the site of the Flambeau mine near Ladysmith show high levels of toxic pollutants.

In the most recent tests, state records show that copper and zinc levels have exceeded state toxicity standards for surface waters, potentially threatening fish and other aquatic life.

The findings come as mining regulation looms as a legislative issue this fall, and the Flambeau mine has been cited as a model of mineral extraction without environmental harm. Lawmakers are poised to rewrite mining laws and ease restrictions after Gogebic Taconite, based in Hurley, put plans on hold this year for a $1.5 billion iron ore mine until regulations are streamlined.

Read post: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/tests-find-toxins-at-flambeau-mine-133051073.html

Rushing Mine Permits Puts Water At Risk

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Opinion

October 31, 2011
by Eric Hanson

Wisconsinites have a deep affection for our pristine waters and a history of applying due diligence and reasonable prudence while questioning ill-conceived industrial projects that threaten that water. Think of the memorable citizens campaigns that blocked Exxon’s proposed mine on the Wolf River and Perrier’s plan for massive water withdrawals from the Mecan River watershed. 

Read post… http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/rushing-mine-permits-puts-water-at-risk-132959503.html

Groups Ask Judge to Halt Mine Blasting

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Huron Mountain Club – Keweenaw Bay Indian Community –
National Wildlife Federation – Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve
For Immediate Release: September 1, 2011
Contact: Michelle Halley, National Wildlife Federation, (906) 361-0520

Groups Ask Judge to Halt Mine Blasting
MARQUETTE, MICH. (September 1, 2011) – A coalition of groups yesterday asked a judge to halt imminent mining activity that would desecrate a sacred Native American site and jeopardize water quality for the Great Lakes and one of the region’s last spawning grounds for the coaster brook trout.

Continue reading →

Minnesota: Chamber, corporations pursue sulfide mining at cost of degrading Minnesota’s waters

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By C.A. Arneson | Monday, Aug. 29, 2011

It was bad enough when the U.S. Supreme Court bestowed corporations with personhood – but under the guise of the title Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota now has its own corporative dictator. And Minnesota’s dictator wants sulfide mining at all costs – including the permanent degradation of Minnesota waters.

Continue reading →

Proposed Kennecott Haul Road: Public Informational Open Houses Scheduled

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Marquette County Board of Road Commissioners (year took office), top to bottom - L to R: Joseph Valente ('08), Russell Williams, Vice Chairperson ('07), Neil Anderson ('09), Darryll Sundberg, Chairperson ('03), David Hall ('07)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Marquette County Road Commission will hold a series of informational open houses to provide information to, and collect written comments from the public regarding the proposed new roadway called County Road 595. Time and location are as follows:
Tuesday, Aug. 30th                12:00 -3:00  & 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.                       Citizens Forum Room, Lakeview Arena,
Wednesday, Aug. 31st           12:00 -3:00  & 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.                       Ishpeming Township Hall, Ishpeming

Informational packets will be available for public review at these meetings. Information will also be available to the public for review starting Tuesday afternoon, August 16, 2011 at the following locations: Marquette County Road Commission Administrative Office, The Peter White Public Library, City of Ishpeming, City of Negaunee, City of Marquette, Powell Township, Ely Township, Marquette Township, Negaunee Township, Ishpeming Township, Humboldt Township and Michigamme Township.

All written input given and received at these informational meetings will be considered at the Board of Marquette County Road Commissioners regular meeting on Monday, September 19, 2011, 6:00 p.m. at the Ishpeming Township Hall. The public may submit written comment to the Marquette County Road Commission Office, 1610 N. Second Street, Ishpeming, MI 49849 or by emailing lbrogan@marqroad.org by Tuesday, September 6, 2011; 1:00 p.m.

Lisa Brogan
Marquette County Road Commission
Ph: 906-486-4491 x. 103
F:  906-486-4493

TOUR the Eagle Site Catastrophe on the Yellow Dog Plains

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TOUR Kennecott/Rio Tinto’s catastrophic Eagle Site – 120 acres of scoured landscape suitable for alien visitors. See Eagle Rock, a significant Native sacred site, now surrounded by a 12′ chain link fence and barbed wire,  heavily secured and inaccessible to anyone seeking worship and prayer. Note the various contractors from Wisconsin and Minnesota, here for the short term gain while living in a motel in Marquette. Ask about the ‘high-tech’ waste water treatment plant that has never been tested under these local conditions, potentially pumping over 50,000 gallons of waste water back into the high plains hydrocycle – uncharted territory.
While out on the plains, visit the nearby headwaters of the pristine Salmon Trout River, (located directly over the ore body) once a thriving fishery soon to be degraded to an unknown status or lost altogether.
Enjoy the tour!
To sign up for tours you need to call Checker Cab at 226-7772.
Dates and Times:
  • Friday, August 19th from 3-7
  • Saturday, August 27th from 9-1
  • Friday, September 9th from 3-7
  • Saturday, September 24th from 9-1
You must bring a picture ID and a barf bag.