Over 30+ million tons of mine waste containing copper, arsenic, mercury, selenium, and other constituents of concern would be stored on topography sloping towards Lake Superior.
A 2015 analysis shows that serious tailings dam ruptures are actually increasing in frequency. But even if the dam holds, all copper sulfide mines contaminate through other means.
IMAGE: Model showing ming waste flooding Lake Superior, the Porcupine Mountains, and the Presque Isle River
This 2020 report concludes that Michigan's Dam Safety Program is "extremely understaffed to perform the mission of dam safety as mandated by legislation, rules, and best practice."
And Copperwood's infrastructure has been designed to anticipate only one-in-one-hundred year storm events, despite the occurrence of two one-in-one-THOUSAND year events in the immediate area in just the last decade (1, 2),
Because the State Park does not own its mineral rights, Highland Copper plans to drill directly beneath "Section 5" on Park property. Eventually, they may even drill beneath the Presque Isle River to access satellite deposits beneath old growth forest.
This Grade Distribution map clearly shows that the highest-grade copper is the closest to Lake Superior. Highland Copper plans to mine up to 100 feet from the lakeshore— but again, it may not stop there: "This setback distance is more related to permitting as mining beneath the lake is possible." (pg 290 of the 2023 Feasibility Report)
Because Copperwood's ore grade is only 1.5%, nearly all of what comes out of the ground will be stored as on-site waste, forever, in a Tailings Disposal Facility measuring 244 football fields in area and 171 feet in height — 20 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty. Highland Copper admits that this massive structure will even be visible from the Lake of the Clouds Overlook (see Comment 35).
The sulfide-waste containment facility would be erected at the juncture of streams rerouted into unnatural and unstable 90-degree angles, on topography sloping towards Lake Superior, less than two miles downstream. And unfortunately, tailings dams are far from invincible.
The historic North Country Trail — the longest of all national hiking trails, just recently incorporated into the National Parks Service — would be a literal stone's throw from sewage lagoons, explosives plants, exhaust systems, rerouted streams, and a 323-acre tailings disposal facility.
The development and operation of the mine will pose a real and significant threat to Anishinaabe resources, most crucially, Lake Superior.
As we come to live on a hotter, drier planet — with wars being fought over access to water, with many American cities importing water from hundreds of miles away — Lake Superior represents 10% of the world's surface freshwater. In fact, by surface area, it is the largest freshwater lake on the planet.
There has never been a hard rock mine that didn't contaminate water, and Copperwood would be the closest metallic sulfide mine to Lake Superior in history.
Let's be clear: the Porkies are not just any park. In 2022 it was ranked by Yelp.com and TripAdvisor as "the most beautiful State Park in the country." It is the largest State Park in Michigan and one of the only State Parks in the country which has a designated Wilderness Area. Most importantly, the Porkies hold the largest tract of mixed old growth forest remaining in the Midwest.
Right next door, the Copperwood Mine risks desecrating this area with noise pollution, light pollution, air pollution, subterranean blasting, non-stop industrial traffic, and more.
A cornerstone of North Woods natural heritage, the historic NCT stretching 4,800 miles from North Dakota to Vermont is the longest of all national hiking trails. Just recently, it was recognized as a unit in the National Parks Service.
Unfortunately, our section of the trail which weaves through the Ottawa National Forest would be just a less than a quarter mile from a 323-acre mine waste containment facility, as well as explosives plants, sewage lagoons, exhaust systems, and more.
Once, there was an Anishinaabe village at the mouth of the River, and it was on these very beaches where the French came to trade with the natives. Now we come to the banks of the Presque Isle to fish, to forage, and to enjoy its spectacular waterfalls — Nawadaha, Manido, and Manabezho, named for Anishinaabe manitous. Where the River waters meet the Lake, the swimming is pleasantly warm. In "the most beautiful State Park in the country," the Presque Isle Scenic Area is the crowning jewel.
But company maps suggest Highland Copper is considering drilling under the Presque Isle River to extract copper from directly beneath old growth forest on Park property.
Industrial traffic, rock grinding, subterranean blasting, and heavy machinery— all are sources of infrasound: low-frequency vibration at or below the threshold of human perception which, even if we can't hear it, causes feelings of stress and tension.
Can you imagine such influences infiltrating the peaceful soundscape of a Wilderness Area?
With no significant source of artificial lighting with a five mile radius, the Presque Isle Scenic Area with its northwest-facing beach provides a pristine view of both the starry skies and the northern lights. Unfortunately, mining is a 24-hour operation, so Copperwood will be illuminated all night long.
In the 21st century, is there anything scarcer than a good view of the night sky?
As seen with Eagle Mine in Marquette County, Copperwood would transform humble County Road 519 and South Boundary Road into an industrial freeway, with 24-hour industrial traffic posing a threat to both wildlife and to the peace of outdoor recreationists.
It is inconceivable that the experience of slogging through mining traffic will not color a person's Wilderness experience.
Copperwood's operation may require subterranean blasting multiple times a day. The vibration would be experienced as a small earthquake felt for miles in all directions, disrupting human visitors and harming aquatic life.
Does such activity really seem appropriate next door to the North Country Trail and the Porcupine Mountains, the largest Wilderness Area in mainland Michigan?