Eagle mine project
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This article is outdated. (October 2011) |
| Eagle Mine | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 Eagle Mine
46.7464°N 87.8805°W / 46.7464°N 87.8805°WCoordinates: 46.7464°N 87.8805°W / 46.7464°N 87.8805°W |
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| Location | Michigamme Township |
| State | Michigan |
| Country | United States |
| Owner | |
| Company | Kennecott Minerals Corporation |
| Website | www.eagle-project.com |
| Production | |
| Products | Copper, nickel |
The Eagle mine project is a proposed nickel and copper mine by Kennecott Minerals Corporation, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto. The company is currently considering opening the mine on the Yellow Dog Plains in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.S.). Nickel and copper are the principal metals to be mined, but cobalt, platinum, palladium and gold would also be recovered as by-products.[1] Initial excavation of the mine tunnel began on 1 October 2011.[2]
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[edit] Overview
Eagle would be a decline-accessed underground mine, primarily utilizing blast hole stopes for production. Lately, interest in the project both locally and state wide has increased due to the submission of a mining permit application for the project. The project has garnered local opposition as well as support. The opposition groups claim that the mine will produce environmental damage, while supporters and the company claim the mine will protect the environment while producing much-needed jobs.
Construction and excavation started in 2010, with production beginning in 2013. The surface plant for the mine will cover less than 100 acres (40 ha), and ore processing will be done off site at the nearby Humboldt Mill. The mine will be backfilled as mining progresses. Mining the underground orebody is projected to continue until 2023, after which the surface facilities will be removed and the site will be reclaimed.
The ore deposit contains 4.1 million metric tons of rock containing 3.6 percent nickel and 2.9 percent copper. Reserves are estimated as up to 140,000 metric tons of nickel and 91,000 metric tons of copper, as well as platinum, palladium, and cobalt.[3]
Some Native Americans believe that the mine site is sacred. Several groups are protesting the development of the mine.[4]
[edit] Permitting
On July 30, 2007, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) re-issued preliminary approval for the mining permit. The permit was initially approved in January 2007, however it was found that the DEQ failed to release documents relating to the crown pillar of the mine. As a result the preliminary approval was withdrawn and the permit process was put on hold until the issue could be further investigated. The resulting investigation cleared the DEQ of any wrongdoing and the consideration of the permit application was able to proceed.
On December 14, 2007, the DEQ announced that it would issue permits for mining to take place at the Eagle project. DEQ Director Steven Chester said: "In the end, Kennecott's proposal met the high standard set by Michigan's environmental laws."[5]
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued a Surface Use Lease to Kennecott on February 7, granting use of a parcel of state land for surface facilities to be associated with the mine. The same four petitioners also filed suit in Ingham Circuit Court challenging the DNR decision to grant the lease.
Kennecott also submitted an application for an Underground Injection Control permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its proposed disposal system for treated wastewater. The EPA has not indicated a timeframe for acting on the application.
The DNR Surface Use Lease is not effective until final approval is granted for all other required permits, i.e., until such time as the EPA grants a permit and any administrative appeals of the DEQ and EPA permits are decided. However, Kennecott has the right in the meantime to begin construction of some surface facilities on land the company owns.[6]
[edit] Contested case hearing
"The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a Mining Permit, Air Use Permit, and Groundwater Discharge Permit to Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company (Kennecott) for the Eagle Project mine on December 14, 2007. The National Wildlife Federation, Huron Mountain Club, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve filed administrative appeals contesting the issuance of the Mining Permit and Groundwater Discharge Permit on December 21. Kennecott has been granted intervener status in the contested case. The case is scheduled to be heard by an administrative law judge beginning on April 28, 2008. Under contested case procedures, the law judge hears the case and submits a proposal for decision to the DEQ Director, who then makes the final DEQ decision. The four petitioners also filed a lawsuit in Ingham Circuit Court contesting issuance of the Air Use Permit."[6]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Andersen, Dale. "Information about the Kennecott Eagle Project". Mine-or-Ours.Info. Archived from the original on October 9, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20071009152526/http://www.mine-or-ours.info/eagle.html. Retrieved July 30, 2007.
- ^ Pepin, John (October 1, 2011). "Blasting begins". The Mining Journal (Marquette, MI). http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/567445/Blasting-begins.html. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ^ "First primary nickel mine in U.S. moves forward". Mining Engineering: p. 16. January 2008.
- ^ Pepin, John (April 25, 2010). "Native American activists protest at Eagle Rock". The Mining Journal (Marquette, MI). http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/543341.html.
- ^ McCann, Robert (December 14, 2007). "DEQ Announces Decision on Kennecott Mine" (PDF) (Press release). Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-exe-KEP-PressRelease121407_218609_7.pdf. Retrieved November 5, 2008.
- ^ a b Staff. "Kennecott Eagle Project". Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3311_4111_18442-130551--,00.html. Retrieved November 5, 2008.
