"As a tribe awaits resolution of a last-chance appeal to stop mining in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, an international company is moving closer to production. The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has challenged a state permit that allows sulfide mining to extract copper and nickel on public lands in the Upper Peninsula."
"The Michigan Court of Appeals agreed to hear the case 13 months ago but has not yet heard oral arguments. In the meantime, the mine is moving ahead, with production scheduled to begin in about one year. In the lawsuit, the tribe and three environmental groups raise concerns that the mine will contaminate water, including groundwater and the Salmon Trout River, which the tribe relies on for food and spiritual ceremonies. The company, however, says it is using state-of-the-art technology, at a cost of $10 million, to treat the wastewater and prevent contamination."
Brian Bienkowski reports for Environmental Health News October 7, 2013.
