The copper mines that built the Keweenaw may have closed decades ago, but there’s still a lot of copper underground in nearby Gogebic County.
Highland Copper, a Canadian-based mining company, through its U.S. subsidiary, Copperwood Resources Inc., is poised to start mining. Both the company and the communities surrounding the mine believe the project will bring prosperity back to the western U.P.
“The
Copperwood Mine will bring jobs to the area, new people, new businesses, more tax revenue for the townships, cities and state,” says Mandy Lake, Bessemer city manager and Wakefield Township supervisor.
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Mandy LakeEvery township and city in the county, as well as the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners and the Gogebic County Road Commission, has passed a resolution of support for the mine, she points out.
“I want to see our community thrive like it did many years ago,” says Wakefield resident Mike Yon.
Ironwood is on board too.
“The history of mining on the Gogebic Range defines who we are. We are extremely grateful to Copperwood Resources and to everyone involved in the process to get us this far,” says Jay Kangas, Ironwood Township supervisor.
“The community is ready and willing to continue the work to bring this transformational project to Ironwood and Wakefield townships," he adds. "To bring an environmentally sound copper mine to the Upper Peninsula once more will not only revitalize our regional economy, but it will lessen our state and national dependence on the foreign supply of copper.
The legacy the mining industry created remains strong.”
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Courtesy of Save the Wild U.P.A map showing the Copperwood project.
Highland Copper’s CEO, Barry O’Shea, is equally optimistic.
“The Copperwood project is a generational investment in the people and future of the Western Upper Peninsula, delivering hundreds of family-supporting jobs, reviving local economies and keeping young people living and working in the region they love,” he says.
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Highland CopperBarry O’Shea“Copperwood will also strengthen the production of critical minerals in the U.S, while upholding some of the strictest environmental standards in the country," he adds. "Highland Copper is proud to stand with 22 units of government, nine local institutions and dozens of community leaders to make this project a reality.”
Boosting the economy
Exactly how will the Copperwood Mine boost the economy of its surrounding communities?
The mine will employ 380 people and generate approximately $130 million annually in business spending, says mine site manager Mike Foley. It will also generate construction jobs, produce revenue all the way up the supply chain and bring new people and businesses to the area.
He predicts that it will also generate local and state tax revenue exceeding $12 million a year, infusing more than $120 million in tax revenue into the local and state economy over its 11-year lifespan.
The plan is to operate mine for 11 years. A longer operation is possible, depending on the price of copper, Foley says.
The underground mine will have room and pillar construction. In room and pillar mining, ore deposits are extracted by creating a network of "rooms" by digging out sections of ore and leaving "pillars" of unmined material to support the roof and prevent collapse. It is commonly used with flat-lying ore deposits such as copper. The room and pillar method helps prevent the ground above from sinking, a common problem with other forms of mining.
Work began in 2023 on wetland and stream diversion projects, in preparation for construction of the mine. Next steps are to finish those projects, do final engineering work and secure project financing, Foley says. The Michigan Strategic Fund and the Michigan House Appropriations Committee have approved a $50 million matching grant for the mine’s construction. The grant is still awaiting State Senate approval.
Protestors object
Despite support from local governments and residents, the mine has faced some opposition, spearheaded by a group called Protect the Porkies.
The opposition centers on claims that the Copperwood Mine will pollute the ground water and ultimately, Lake Superior. Its opponents also claim that the mine will cause habitat fragmentation, threatening wildlife, disrupt outdoor recreation in the area and impact the nearby Porcupine Mountains.
UPword asked Protect the Porkies for a comment. The organization did not respond.
According to Highland Copper, the copper being mined has a non-acid generating ore body, meaning that it is incapable of producing acidic runoff that would adversely affect the environment and the health of people or animals.
“Every industrial project faces some version of opposition,” Foley says.
He thinks that can be a good thing. “Every industrial project needs to have someone questioning everything to make certain that we verify and are certain that our decisions, our engineering are correct and accountable,” he says.
“Kudos to them. But the opposition here has used misinformation instead of facts. It's important that people ask the questions. But when they don't listen to our answers and try to spread misinformation, that’s too bad. We spend a lot of time double-checking everything that we plan to do.”
The mine has received all necessary permits.
“We are not going ahead with this project unless we're absolutely certain that we can protect the water, that we're building as minimal project as we absolutely need to, and that we cause no disturbance to the Porcupine Mountain State Forest or Lake Superior,” Foley says.
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Courtesy of Highland CopperA stream diversion project at the Copperwood site.
“We have done all our work under the watchful eye of Michigan EGLE (Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy), which has some of the strictest standards in the nation. Our goal is to meet or exceed all of Michigan EGLE’s very stringent standards,” he goes on to say.
Last year, Northern Michigan University (NMU) pulled its support for the Copperwood Mine. President Brock Tessman said: “We do not see the Copperwood Mine as the right mine, in the right place, at this time.”
In 2023, NMU had issued a letter of support, which drew fire from a number of students, faculty and alumni.
Economic development
InvestUP, a regional economic development organization, sees great potential in the Copperwood Mine project.
“During Copperwood’s life, family-sustaining jobs, local taxes and infrastructure investment will strengthen the future of our rural communities and the regional mining industry,” says Matt Johnson, who is vice chair of InvestUP.
"We must invest in rural America for our local and national economic security,” he adds. “The Upper Peninsula has a long history of providing critical mineral resources for society. “
The western U.P.’s state legislators agree.
“This is a very exciting opportunity for the State of Michigan and the Upper Peninsula,” says State Sen. Ed McBroom. “Natural resources-based economies have made Michigan a prosperous state for hundreds of years. We’ve worked very hard for many years to make this happen, and I am so glad we are finally here.”
State Rep. Greg Markkanen adds: “This project is vital to the economy of the Western Upper Peninsula and of strategic value to our nation as well.”
Meanwhile, residents near the mine can’t wait for construction to begin.
“Stop in any coffee shop and talk to the people,” says Wakefield Township Supervisor Mandy Lake. “Everyone is excited about the mine coming here.”
Jennifer Donovan is a reporter with more than 40 years of experience on daily newspapers, magazines and university writing and editing. She is retired as director of news and media relations at Michigan Technological University and lives in Houghton.