Michigan mining push tests Lake Superior safeguards
With exploration accelerating and proposed mines advancing near a lake that holds nearly 10% of the world’s surface fresh water, Michigan’s rules for modern mines could soon face a test across an entire district.
Michigan is supporting a new copper and nickel mining push near Lake Superior while simultaneously addressing pollution left by its last mining boom. Perseverance Metals and Talon Metals have recently announced discoveries of nickel-copper sulphide deposits in their areas of operation. Highland Copper has been granted a $50-million state grant for its Copperwood project.
Talon Metals' CEO, Darby Stacey, expressed concerns about the trustworthiness of new mining operators, stating that old reputations in the industry are not enough to assure communities about the environmental impact. The region once supplied 96% of U.S. copper but has since faced contamination from past mining activities. Torch Lake still bears the legacy of copper contamination, with concentrations 200% higher than a nearby reference lake, posing risks to the local ecosystem.
Indigenous peoples have been mining and using copper on the Keweenaw Peninsula for over 7,000 years. Environmental rules for modern mines in Michigan may face a test as the state explores ways to ensure the safety of future mining operations.
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