Michigan approves ‘extremely toxic’ copper mine just 100 feet from Lake Superior — which locals fear could destroy one of America’s most beautiful state parks

Michigan has approved a $50 million copper mine that has sparked outrage among residents due to its proximity to Lake Superior.

Canada-based Highland Copper will break ground 100 feet from the lake and begin production in 2026, which the company says could produce 65 million pounds of the metal over 11 years.

The controversy over the mine kicked into high gear last year when the company cleared part of the state park’s billion-year-old forest, filled in the wetlands and permanently diverted streams from the North Country Trail.

Copper mines have been labeled as the most toxic to human health as they can release chemicals such as mercury, arsenic and lead that have been identified by the World Health Organization as the ‘top 10 chemicals of major public health concern’.

Copper is an essential material used for heat, electricity and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy.

The element is also used to create the batteries, wiring and charging stations for electric vehicles, which are becoming essential as the US pushes for more electric vehicles and demand for renewable energy grows.

The Copperwood Mine will be located in the foothills of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, which has been ranked as the most beautiful state park in the US.

It will also be adjacent to the North Country Trail – the nation’s longest hiking trail – which stretches 4,500 miles from North Dakota to Vermont.

Highland Copper confirmed that the project will be an underground mine using the room-and-pillar mining method to process nearly 7,500 tons of copper per day.

This method requires workers to extract copper by excavating cave-like areas, leaving pillars of earth to support the roof of the mine.

Quentin L. Messer Jr., head of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, said, “The economic impact of this project – with high wages, direct jobs and countless community-supporting indirect jobs – cannot be overstated because it translates into greater economic stability. and prosperity for families, small businesses and the local community.

“Copperwood Mine is another example of a company leveraging Michigan assets to ensure our continued leadership in sustainability and mobility innovation.

“We will continue to work to win projects, invest in places and attract people as we encourage companies of all sizes to ‘Make it in Michigan.’

However, hundreds of locals have expressed opposing views on the project, including petitioners and environmentalists fighting to stop the Copperwood mine, saying it will harm the area.

Wakefield Township resident and petition writer Tom Grotewohl told locals WNMU FM that the mine would threaten the environment, public recreation and the local economy.

Grotewohl also noted that most of what will be mined would not actually be copper.

“Because only 1.45 percent of what comes out of the ground is copper and the remaining 98.55 percent is toxic waste, containing at least fifteen constituents of environmental health concern, including mercury, arsenic, cadmium, selenium and lead. ‘

John Coleman of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission said the commission has raised concerns about the project for more than a decade.

“We are concerned about the tailings pond and its long-term stability, and have asked (the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) to involve the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission in reviewing the final design ‘, he said. .

Highland Copper has previously stated the company’s commitment to minimizing and mitigating pollution and has obtained nearly all required permits from Michigan’s environmental regulatory agency.

a Change.org petition This has been signed by more than 19,700 people. They argued that for every ton of ore extracted, 29 pounds will be copper, while the remaining 1,971 pounds will be waste.

Mining waste can expose people to potentially harmful levels of toxins such as arsenic, mercury and cadmium – a white metal found in zinc ores.

According to them, copper mines have a poor track record when it comes to storing waste Earthworks an environmental protection organization, which found that 100 percent of copper mines had pipeline leaks and that 92 percent were not adequately controlling mine wastewater.

Earthworks also reported that 28 percent of copper mines failed to seize tailings, contaminating marine life, drinking water and wildlife habitat and threatening public health.

Highland Copper, parent company of Copperwood Resources, also has a questionable track record.

In 2018, the company was fined $25,000 for damaging wetlands and discharging muddy water while conducting exploratory drilling beneath Porcupine Mountains State Park.

The petitioners cited the fine as one of the reasons they do not want the mine in the area, but added that the negative impact it will have on nature makes it essential that Copperwood cease production.

They said the signatories “are not calling for a moratorium on all mining, nor are we claiming that the industry is inherently evil.”

“We’re just exercising what’s called common sense.”

They added: “Just as we would not allow a maximum security prison to be located next to a preschool, we should not operate a metal sulfide mine at the intersection of a historic trail, a designated wilderness area and a freshwater sea. This is not a controversial position.”

DailyMail.com has contacted Copperwood Resources for comment.