Environmental advocates celebrate the exclusion of funding for the Copperwood Mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, citing concerns over potential environmental impacts and threats to indigenous treaty rights.
Kyle Davidson reports for Michigan Advance.
In short:
- Michigan’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget passed without the $50 million funding for the Copperwood Mine, a project opposed by environmental and tribal groups.
- The proposed mine, expected to create 380 jobs, raised concerns about contamination of Lake Superior and the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
- The project’s future remains uncertain as the Senate Appropriations Committee did not vote on the funding transfer.
Key quote:
"We are having productive conversations with lawmakers about our project and Michigan’s commitment to the domestic supply chain."
— Barry O’Shea, Highland Copper CEO
Why this matters:
Excluding mine funding prioritizes environmental preservation and respects Anishinaabe treaty rights. However, the mine's potential economic benefits and ongoing discussions suggest the debate may continue.
