Canadian company Highland Copper Inc. wants to drill under the Presque Isle River to seize minerals from directly beneath Porcupine Mountains State Park, the largest tract of mixed old growth forest remaining in the Midwest.
Unlike the 99%-pure native copper mines which fueled the Copper Rush of the 19th and 20th centuries, Copperwood's ore grade is estimated at only 1.5%, meaning that nearly 99% of mined material will be stored as 50+ million tons of heavy-metal laden waste rock on topography that slopes towards Lake Superior. Toxins of concern include mercury, arsenic, selenium, and lead. The data show that more than a third of tailings dams are at high risk of causing catastrophic damage to nearby communities if they crumble, and there are already multiple instances of serious failures.
In addition to destroying 50+ acres of wetlands and forever altering the course of 5 streams, the project would be permitted to dump half a million gallons of wastewater per day into Namebinag Creek, which empties into Lake Superior. Namebinag Creek is also home to populations of Redside Dace, classified in Michigan as an Endangered Species requiring legal protection.
The operation would likely lead to audible rock grinding and subterranean blasts using toxic ammonium nitrate which would be felt for miles around (see slide 8), both on the North Country Trail and in the Presque Isle Scenic Area of the State Park, and possibly even at Black River Harbor. As with the development of Eagle Mine in Marquette County, we can expect non-stop industrial traffic on County Road 519, heavy metal-laden dust from exhaust vents which travels far from its source on the wind, and light pollution of the night skies, one of the most cherished aspects of the Presque Isle Campground. Given that the Copperwood is a metallic sulfide mine, there remain concerns regarding acid mine drainage — an irreversible contamination of wetlands and waterways.
Minerals are important, but so is common sense. Regardless of how one feels about the role of mining in society, we must all agree on a basic point: some locations are worse than others, and this one's as bad as it gets. The area is home to multiple fresh water resources, a unique old growth ecosystem, and a thriving eco-tourism industry where visitors come from far and wide seeking pristine nature. Is it really worth jeopardizing all this when copper is not even on the list of critical minerals?
Canadian company Highland Copper is a junior exploration company with zero experience opening and operating a mine, which already has a track record of violating permits and degrading wetlands. But they aren't letting that slow them down: even though they lack key permits related to stream alterations and engineering of their tailings disposal facility, they have already begun their "summer site prep" of clearcutting and wetlands destruction.
The situation may seem dire, but...
