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In a significant development, the Michigan House Appropriations Committee has backed a $50 million grant for the Copperwood Mine project, which has been a subject of debate in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This follows the earlier approval by the Michigan Strategic Fund, although the project still awaits a nod from the state Senate Appropriations Committee.
Highland Copper, the Canadian company spearheading the project, plans to establish the mine underground near Lake Superior, adjacent to Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and the North Country Trail in Gogebic County.
The grant, once fully approved, will be directed towards essential infrastructure like transportation, wastewater systems, and communication enhancements for the mine and its surrounding areas. However, to unlock these funds, Highland Copper must also secure $150 million in private investment by December 2025.
The Copperwood Mine is expected to operate for approximately 11 years, potentially generating over $120 million in state tax revenue, according to estimates from the state House Fiscal Agency. Despite the economic promise, environmental concerns shadow the project. A petition against the mine has already amassed over 300,000 signatures.
Nichole Keway Biber, a member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, voiced her concerns at a recent committee hearing, saying, “This is a dangerous project to these places. We can’t ignore that. There’s a lot of work to be done of restoration. We can invest in repair and clean up.”
The proximity of the mine to Lake Superior, less than two miles away, raises fears of potential contamination. However, some view the project as a boost to the local economy. Marty Fittante, CEO of InvestUP, explained, “The Upper Peninsula is my home. It’s where I was raised, where my grandchildren live. Unfortunately, for too many people, they can no longer call it home because we don’t have opportunity.”
In addition to economic factors, the increasing global demand for copper, vital for renewable energy technology, adds another layer of complexity to the debate.
Copperwood has nearly all required permits and has initiated preliminary construction activities. The state’s air quality permit recently closed for public comment, marking another step forward for the project. The grant proposal is now pending before the state Senate Appropriations Committee, where approval is anticipated.
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