Well, it seems the Canadians are teaming up to ransack one of Michigan's most beautiful areas. Today Kinterra Capital has purchased a 60% share of the White Pine project, but since the invested money comes with no strings attached, Highland Copper announces with glee that it will enable them to move forward full steam ahead with the Copperwood Mine. Read the details here.
This is troubling news, but hope is not at all lost. Highland Copper's market cap is currently $43 million; they require $390 million to initiate construction on Copperwood. They plan to take out half of that money as a loan –– isn't that nice? using money you don't have to devastate the natural world?
In the next year, we expect them to make a strong advertising push, either to gain more investors or to sell their project to a more capable company. Therefore, the next 12 months are critical in undermining confidence in the project.
In keeping with their letter to EGLE, sent June 15th, Highland Copper is moving forward with clearcutting, stream alteration, and wetland destruction.
We have received witness reports of:
An un-shared "MOU" was signed last April between Copperwood Resources and Gogebic County, likely related to the need to rebuild County Road 519 in order to tolerate heavy industrial mining traffic. See meeting notes.
This humble road is the main access road to the western side of Porcupine Mountains State Park. It crosses multiple waterways and wetlands, all of which will be endangered by its expansion. Can you imagine driving behind industrial mining traffic on your way to America's most beautiful State Park?
Highland Copper has just sent a letter to Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) stating they intend to start logging and wetland work "on or around July 15th" of this year.
"Dear Ms. Humphrey,
This letter serves to keep you advised and notify you on our upcoming preliminary site preparation activities, anticipated to commence on or around July 15, 2023. These activities include logging the site and begin implementing wetland and stream activities authorized in the Part 301/Part 303 Wetland and Streams Permit WRP013721. By starting after July 15, we should avoid affecting the Northern Long-eared bat in accordance with the Wetland Permit. These activities will not involve accessing or excavation of any mineral deposits on the site. Accordingly, we understand that these activities do not implicate the notice provisions of General Permit Condition F.1 of the mining permit for the project.
Should you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Charline Miville-Deschenes at charline.miville-deschenes@highlandcopper.com or 581-988-8436. We appreciate your support and look forward to successfully executing this project together.
Sincerely,
Denis Miville-Deschênes"
https://www.mining.com/copper-loses-battle-in-fight-for-critical-mineral-status-in-the-us/
If the highest authority in the land has not deemed copper to be of urgent importance, then why risk inflicting acid mine drainage upon an old growth forest, a freshwater sea, and a stunning river?
Canadian company Highland Copper announces plans to begin "summer site prep" in 2023 (a.k.a. clearcutting forest and the re-routing of Gypsy Creek) and hopes to begin mine construction in early 2024.
msfcomments@michigan.org
messerq@michigan.org
davenportn3@michigan.org
britanyaffolter-caine@urcmich.org
LEO-DirectorOffice@Michigan.gov
LEO-Comms@michigan.gov
susan.corbin@michigan.gov
susanrcorbin@gmail.com
MIStateTreasurer@michigan.gov
eubanksr@michigan.gov
rachael.eubanks@gmail.com
dimitriushutcherson@firstindependence.com
dimitrius.hutcherson@gmail.com
dan@trilliumventuresmsv.com
tmeyering@gmail.com
info@thechemicogroup.com
crothstein@beringea.com
crothstein@gmail.com
sue@jetcofederal.com
randy.thelen@rightplace.org
cindy.warner@360ofme.com
cindylwarner1@gmail.com
wieferichb@michigan.gov
schwabv@michigan.org
wilforde@michigan.gov
erikwilford@yahoo.com
contractsandgrants@michigan.org
You can also call the office of Quentin L. Messer, Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund:
517-241-1400
and
MEDC Chief of Staff Aimee Evans: evansa3@michigan.org or 517.488.9292.
This petition is our most powerful symbol of collective opposition and is the cornerstone of our strategy to gain the attention of politicians and media. After you sign it, share a comment at the bottom, then spread the link to others.
To accompany our petition, we collecting Letters of Support from Organizations. In the future, when Copperwood applies for a grant or renews a permit, we can present these letters to support our case.
FOR ORGANIZATIONS: Guide / template letter
FOR INDIVIDUALS: Guide for reaching out to organizations.
Please send completed Support Letters to ProtectThePorkies@gmail.com
Highland Copper still lacks 90% of their initial capital, so they are scrambling for private investors, bank loans, and grants. As the graphic above shows, the mining industry is very concerned about SOCIAL LICENSE, because if a project is wildly unpopular, potential funders will see it as a bad investment.
Investor outreach is a crucial p
Highland Copper still lacks 90% of their initial capital, so they are scrambling for private investors, bank loans, and grants. As the graphic above shows, the mining industry is very concerned about SOCIAL LICENSE, because if a project is wildly unpopular, potential funders will see it as a bad investment.
Investor outreach is a crucial part of any grassroots campaign. Thank you for your solidarity!
Governor Whitmer says she's serious about climate change, but as we come to live on a hotter, drier planet — in which conflicts are being fought over access to water, in which many cities must ship it in from hundreds of miles away— we should be doing everything we can to protect Lake Superior, 10% of the world's surface freshwater.
Write
Governor Whitmer says she's serious about climate change, but as we come to live on a hotter, drier planet — in which conflicts are being fought over access to water, in which many cities must ship it in from hundreds of miles away— we should be doing everything we can to protect Lake Superior, 10% of the world's surface freshwater.
Write to the Governor and tell her in your own words why mines like Copperwood have NO PLACE in a "Healthy Climate" plan. Ask her to file a formal state petition for review of the project. See below for a sample message.
Phone: 517-335-7858
Mail: Governor Whitmer
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Attorney General Dana Nessel has been a crucial player in the fight against Line 5. Given that there is no higher priority than protecting our freshwater resources (not to mention our most beloved State Park), tell her it is urgent to file a state petition for review of the Copperwood Mine. For supporting arguments, see below.
Phone: 517-335-7622
Email: miag@michigan.gov
Whether you are a Yooper or wider Michigan resident, one of the most powerful steps you can take is to contact your local legislators.
It's time to tell them that when it comes to protecting Lake Superior and Michigan's most beloved State Park, your vote's on the line.
The fate of the Copperwood Mine will be determined by how well we undermine the project's "social license to operate" and this depends on how many people even know about it.
Please reach out to your favorite radio shows, TV shows, podcasts, newspapers, blogs, etc. and tell them why it's urgent to cover this story!
Please provide media with our contact info: ProtectThePorkies@gmail.com
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