Sulfide Mining in the U.P.

Plans for new mines are in the works in several Upper Peninsula locations - and these plans aren't met with a lot of optimism. There is definitely a hardcore group of anti-mining activists who do not want to see the U.P.'s unblemished land destroyed by mining activity. I can't say I totally blame them, particularly if these mines are being developed in their own backyard. With that being said, we must take a look at both sides of the issue. I will say this, I have an opinion about the prospect of new mines in the U.P., a rather strong opinion at that. However, I plan to stay unbiased in this blog. Here is my attempt to be fair and balanced.

Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company is developing a new mine just outside of the town of Big Bay, within the Yellow Dog Plains. They propose to mine nickel and copper and plan to extract it from the ground by using sulfide chemicals. Construction on the facilities at the mine site have started this summer with total completion of the project to be between one to two years. Mining is expected to start at the Eagle site by 2012. A separate facility will be used to grind and refine the product where it will then be shipped to a smelter. That separate facility already exists, albeit in a rundown condition at this time. It's called the Humboldt Mill which is located just outside of Champion. It's an old mining facility once used for the same purpose that Kennecott proposes. However, it's sat idle since the mid 1990's. Kennecott proposes to spend $80 million on site remediation and upgrades at the mill. They certainly are planning to pump plenty of money into these two sites to get their operations going.

Plans by Kennecott for mining at the Eagle Minerals site have been under scrutiny ever since the company put their plans out there to the public. The main source of concern for the anti-mining activists is regarding the method in which the company proposes to extract the ore from the ground. Sulfide chemicals are hazardous if not properly used. There is concern that if a spill of some sort were to occur, the Yellow Dog River could become contaminated, thus ruining a natural fish habitat. The Yellow Dog River also discharges into Lake Superior, so there's a risk of further contamination down the line into the big lake. Other concerns the anti-mining group bring forth include the destruction of the Yellow Dog Plains, which currently is a pristine, natural forestland enjoyed by the general public (it's state-owned land). This is land that has been untouched by human activity such as mining equipment to this point. This particular mine site is only expected to produce 6-8 years worth of minerals, meaning these are not expected to be long-term jobs. And lastly, Kennecott apparently doesn't have a great track record when it comes to mining projects such as this one. The Flambeau Mine in Ladysmith, Wisconsin was a Kennecott-operated facility and has been the source of contamination by sulfide mining. I cannot say I know much about that facility and anything I say about the circumstances that took place there would be a total lie. I will say that there is a bit of "he said, she said" between Kennecott and the anti-mining activists regarding the Flambeau Mine. Kennecott says complete remediation has taken place on the site, while the anti-mining activists claim that site will always be contaminated and never returned to its natural state. Needless to say, it's a point of contention for many.

As for a positive when it comes to the Eagle Minerals Project, it has the chance to bring hundreds of good, paying jobs to the area - something that is sorely needed. Does anyone recall what Michigan's unemployment rates are these days? Yep, we're dead last in the nation with the highest rate. And especially in the Upper Peninsula, these kinds of jobs are difficult to find. The Upper Peninsula's heritage is built on mining and this project and several others down the line could be an extension of that heritage. It allows several individuals and families to stay in the area instead of leaving to look for work. Does it involve a fair amount of risk? Absolutely. Most jobs in the mining industry are risky. And this project is unlike any other mine site in Michigan. You could say its unprecedented because of the means in which the ore has to be extracted. The state of Michigan did pass very strict sulfide mining laws in anticipation of this project, so it's not like they're turning the other cheek. They will be following up on this as the mine begins operation.

Whether or not you're for or against the mine, at least we can all agree on one thing - this project has had the community talking for nearly ten years. And even though Kennecott has just started construction on the mine, it'll likely be discussed for many more years to come. You see, the people of the Upper Peninsula are passionate about their land. If they see someone coming in to potentially destroy what they've come to love and enjoy about it, they are going to say something about it. Let's just hope that Kennecott is able to keep its promises and return the land back to the way they found it once all of their mining activity ceases.