On Thursday, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that it is delaying a decision to approve two permits related to a proposed sulfide mine in the Upper Peninsula. The mine--which has been opposed by a variety of citizens groups--needs a permit from the DNR for 120 acres of aboveground operations near Marquette, Michigan.
According to articles appearing on the Associated Press newswire and in the Mining Journal, the DNR chose to delay a decision on the permits--originally scheduled for Thursday--after Kennecott Eagle Mineral failed to respond to specific questions raised by the DNR. These questions--raised in a December 7, 2007 letter from the DNR to Kennecott--sought information about how Kennecott would respond to any subsidence (collapse) occurring over the ore body during mining operations, what corrective actions would be taken if more water flows into the mine than expected, and why these 120 acres are required rather than adjacent land owned by Kennecott. Even with these questions, DNR staffers have reportedly "endorsed" the mine, yet are seeking additional information to prevent the permit from being challenged in court.
Despite the ambiguity in the media over the exact reasons for the delay, opponents of the sulfide mine are hopeful that it will further delay the mine. For the past few years, critics have argued that the mine will be ecologically destructive and that the government should not issue the required permits. In a press release responding to the decision, the National Wildlife Federation said, "The DNR has made the right decision to not rubber stamp a risky mine that has proven deadly to rivers, streams and communities all over the world... It's not worth the risk to our economy, health and way of life." The press release also noted that it is "unprecedented" for the State of Michigan to allow an open-ended lease for private corporate gain.
Last month, the Michigan DEQ issued permits for the mine. In response, opponents sued and the case is currently waiting to be heard. A permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also required but has not been issued.
Mine opponents have also said they had a lawsuit ready to be filed and were ready to do so if the DNR permits had been issued.
