Michigan approves 'extremely toxic' copper mine just 100ft from Lake Superior - ... trends now
Michigan has approved a $50 million copper mine that has sparked outrage among residents due to its close proximity to Lake Superior.
Canada-based Highland Copper is set to break ground 100 feet from the lake and start production in 2026, which the company said could produce 65 million pounds of the metal over the course of 11 years.
Controversy over the mine kicked into high gear last year when the company cleared a section of the state park's one-billion-year-old forest, filled in the wetlands and permanently rerouted the North Country Trail's streams.
Copper mines are labeled as the most toxic to human health because they can release chemicals like mercury, arsenic and lead that have been identified as the 'top 10 chemicals of major public health concern' by the World Health Organization.
The copper mine will be located only 100 feet from Lake Superior, making it the closest metallic sulfide site and raising concerns that the mining waste will harm the environment
Copperwood Resources has already cleared a section of the one-billion-year-old forest, permanently re-routed streams and filled in the wetlands
Lake Superior sees 3.5 million visitors annually, meaning the lake's exposure to mining waste could not only pollute marine wildlife, but could also pose a harm to public health
Copper is an essential material used for heat, electricity, and renewable energy mediums like solar and wind power.
The element is also used to create the batteries, wiring and charging stations for electric vehicles which are becoming essential as the US pushes for more EVs and demands for renewable energy grows.
The Copperwood Mine will be located in the foothills of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, which has been ranked as the most beautiful state park in the US.
It will also be adjacent to the North Country Trail - the longest hiking trail in the country - which is drawn out across a 4,800-mile expanse from North Dakota to Vermont.
Highland Copper confirmed the project will be an underground mine that uses the room-and-pillar mining method to process nearly 7,500 tons of copper per day.
This method requires workers to extract copper by digging out cave-like sections while leaving pillars of dirt to support the roof of the mine.
The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park has been ranked the most beautiful national park in the US and includes the North Country Trail, which is the longest in the country
Copperwood Resources started excavating the site last year, but first conducted exploratory drilling in 2018 when it received a $25,000 fine for damaging the wetlands and discharging muddy water
Quentin L. Messer, Jr., head of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, said: 'The economic impact of this project – with high wage direct jobs and countless community-supporting indirect jobs – cannot be overstated, as it translates to greater economic stability and prosperity for
