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LANSING -- Yet another delay--and a surprising one--for Kennecott Minerals' proposed nickel and copper mine on the Yellow Dog Plains.

The Department of Natural Resources was expected to decide Thursday afternoon whether to approve a mining reclamation plan and a surface use lease agreement.

But late word to TV6 from Lansing indicates that the DNR wants more information from Kennecott on why the mine should be on state land and not private land. This comes a day after a DNR official told TV6 that she expected the permits to be granted because the DNR preferred locating the mine on public land because it would give the state more oversight of the mine.

"What we have not received to date is a discussion on how this proposed site is actually superior to other areas or sites that maybe available in the area," DNR Resource Management Deputy Mindy Koch said.

Kennecott actually owns or leases 1,600 acres on the Yellow Dog Plains, but they say the 120 acres of state land is the best site for the surface facilities.

"We think this area we have applied for approval to use, that's pending before the DNR, is the appropriate place for the surface facilities for this project,” Kennecott spokesperson Deb Muchmore said.  “It gives the greatest amount of protection for water resources of the area, allows us to access the underground ore body, a distance from those water resources, and do the project correctly."

The mine, which would use a controversial sulfide mining process, has environmentalists concerned the mine would pollute the Salmon Trout River and that structurally, the mine might cave in.  That's why four organizations have filed challenges to the permits issued by the DEQ for mining, air and water quality.

Michelle Halley with the National Wildlife Federation says if the DNR does eventually grant the permits, her group would file a lawsuit against the DNR.

"Anytime people want to do something risky on their own land, they can't expect the state to bail them out,” Halley said.  “If people want to do something risky on their own land, well, if they can meet the regulations, that's their business, but they shouldn't expect the state to bail them out of a risky situation."

Besides these two approvals from the state, Kennecott also needs a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The earliest the permits could be granted now is next month during the next scheduled meeting of the Natural Resources Commission.