Much has been said and understood concerning the fate of mineral deposits in the UP, but I believe I should provide another perspective for those who are debating this issue.
Our civilization depends upon the minerals that will be extracted from these rich mines. The metals are essential to life as we know it. This is not hyperbole, but instead reflects reality. Cars, computers, dishwashers and big-screen TV's demand the qualities these metals supply. Civilization has relied on metals for thousands of years and will not stop consuming them because there is risk inherent in their recovery. Further, recycled metals are not of sufficient quantities, even with 100% reclamation, to fill the demand. This is logical, because if there are 10% more TV's made every year, then there is no way, even with 100% reclaimed metals from every discarded TV, that recycling can keep up.
Since metals are necessary and recycling cannot possibly keep up with production demands, we must find fresh sources to merely sustain our metal inventories. This is done through mining. Thats where metals come from.
Mines are dug where metals exist and metals exist in great concentrations at very few locations in the entire world. The UP has a few very rich sites and they must be mined.
Mining must proceed with a safe, secure plan. The agencies with mining oversite are going to allow mining that conforms to the safest, most secure plans possible. This is an ideal situation, very unlike unregulated mining seen elsewhere in the world.
If you are a NIMBY, so be it. But at least be honest enough to admit you are putting the burden on someone else. Admit also that you are imperialistic, because many of the metal producing mines are currently in someone elses backyard, ie developing nation's, third-world countries where the people's welfare is, presumably, easier to dismiss. Be sure to ask yourself this; Does the threat you believe that exists with mining diminish if it is done in, say, Bolivia? How about Zimbabwe? It really begins to sound like people who object to local mining projects are limousine-set liberals, exercising elitist attitudes, merely grasping after power.
We all want and need a clean, beautiful environment. Mining is essential and so must be done to preserve the environment to the utmost. So, let's be courageous enough to pick up the tab for our lifestyle and not push it off on third world countries.

ccmo mines and kennecott mines in the u.p will be great.what are we waiting for!

The analogy of an old maid being reapproached by an old suitor is interesting. However, I think it's more like a middle aged woman who married young, foregoing her education, bore children, and was dumped by her husband who drove his car through the garden on his way out. Now he's back for more, and she's dumb enough to let him in the house. Anyone look at real estate prices in White Pine lately?

As far as not eating fish, what exactly is wrong with enjoying nature in a non-consumptive way. Catch and release out west has lead to some magnificent fishing (and good tourist economies)- on the rivers that weren't destroyed by acid mine drainage, that is.

It's kinda exciting to think about the U.P. coming back to life again with this interest in reviving the mining industry.
People who love solitude & enjoy being out enjoying Nature have mixed feelings.
It's sorta like an old maid getting a Valentine from an old boyfriend from her youth ... will this mining work out? But, it's sotempting to imagine what this second chance would be like.
I AM TURNED OFF BY THOSE WHO WANT "NATURE IN A CAN" ... & ACCESS THESE WILD AREAS WITH MOTORIZED EQUIPMENT ... GO TO HUNT/FISH WHEN THEY DON'T EVEN EAT WHAT THEY CATCH ...
These people are not very credible to be getting so extreme about opposing reaping God's gifts to us ... even if those gifts are the metals.
It is how the mining is done, over-seen, & damage repaired that needs our attention.

Doesn't anyone realize that mining has been poisoning the environment here for years? Everyone is acting like CCI is some wonderful, employee friendly, green corporation. What about the spills that are never talked about. They happen all the time up there. The big PCP spill last year was nicely covered up in the media. Talk to some of the guys that were really on the floor that day. What about the used oil that was poured out over the rock dumps for years to keep dust down? Regardless, these new mines are not going to poison anything that hasn't already been poisoned or harmed by previous companies. Will our health outlook become worse, I doubt it. It can't get much worse for young cancer rates than it already is in Republic. Will we take the money, oh yeah. This is an area that has sacrificed our health and safety for generations to the mining and logging industries, why stop now. Oh and one more thing. Is CCI locally owned, no. It's not any different than any of these other companies. So those of you that grew up living off of mining money and probably still do, don't be a hippocryte, these companies aren't any worse than Uncle Cliff.

Gogebic County, where the old mines are all over and we draw our water from them so it must be okay!? Is there a higher cancer rate than say the Saginaw River or the Titawabasee? I think not. Is tourism affected by all the old mine pits fenced in where the little brown bat flourishes and where no hiker has yet to fall into? Do the "bubbleheads" ride into these so called open pits around here? I think not! Like the wolf, most who are opposed to the mines new and old don't live here. They live in places where there is not ONE single working farm left that is running. They have been gobbled up by the greedy developers, or by the ones who "hobby" the old homesteads. Wow, thanks, you are giving back to society. Where do they think all the gold, copper, silver and other precious metals they require in daily lives comes from? Maybe its from the same place most think about. DisneyLand? This area is founded by hard working men and women who lived, died and provided for thier families. Now mines are evil and we shouldn't enrich the lives of our children and communities to the greatness of what we had in the old days?? I say most people who oppose the mines are nothing but hypocrates and have many items in their household that are silver, nickle, copper, gold, etc. Heck, they are typing away right now in desperation to call the new mines evil, but yet everything they own is made of these precious metals including their keyboards?

Just another fine example of people biting the hand that feeds it. How do we get the metals used to make the computer that you are looking at right now? How about the wire that brings the electricity to your house? How about the car you drive to your job that pays your bills?

Should we all stop buying and using just about everything? The problem starts with everyone here. Don't blame the company, blame the people analyzing the core samples.:)

It is hard enough to find a job in the UP as it is.

Mining brings jobs...the Empire and Tilden will not be around forever...maybe less than 20 years.

Go ahead and boycott all economic growth in the UP...it will make land so much cheaper when I retire and move back home.

Aquila Resources Owns the Humboldt Mine In Champion It is set up for Mineral Processing from back in the Callhahan Mining days of the Ropes Gold Mine. Perefect for Getting jobs here in Marquette County. Kennekott should contract to use this facility instead of sending their Ore to Canada. I could see supporting their Project more if this was done.

Kennecotts Eagle Project is a cancer it will grow , spread and eventually kill it's host the UP .

If any accidents happen at any of these proposed mines they will become everyone's problem. None of the watersheds near these sites are far from the big lakes, the Great Lakes. If there is Acid Mine Drainage, it will drain in a short time into Lake Superior and Michigan.

This equals big impacts on not only local water, but all states in the Great Lakes region.

Not worth the risk in my opinion.

Boy, you must be a lot of fun at parties. What’s wrong with people and business wanting to make money? Making money and profits is a good thing. I think most Americans want to prosper and increase their incomes and secure an improved life for their families and friends. It is because of american capitalism that we all live in the richest country in the world (rich in many ways). We have the highest standard of living in the world because of our work ethic and capitalism. And the US is the cleanest industrialized country in the world…that’s why everyone wants to come here to live. There is no need for anyone to apologize for wanting to make money. I’m not crazy about a mine, but things change and can’t stay the same forever.

Can we improve and do things a better and safer way; absolutely and we should. We should have stringent safe guards for our environment. But to just say to business “get lost, not in my back yard” is very selfish and backward thinking. I think the only way you’d be happy is when everyone in the U.P. leaves.

I am FAR from a tree hugger. I have logging in my family. My grandpa's, uncle, dad and brother all worked in the mines. I respect them for that. I am anything BUT wealthy (currently unemployed taking care of my children) and my husband works 40+/week. So you should not be stereotyping everyone that opposes the mines as treehugging, rich people who wipe their butt with recycled dead leaves.
But yet, I oppose the mine. Why? It's going to ruin this beautiful place you live in. If you're having a hard time living, maybe you should move out of the UP, because the last time I checked, the strength of people to make it in the UP is what makes everyone special and the fact that they don't complain about the unemployment rate, the fact that they work 2 jobs to put food on their families plate and the fact that they don't take for granted what we have up here is what makes them some of the most well respected people in my book. Okay, one mine was bad enough...now a whole bunch more?

This mine is NOT going to give even 25% of the people that want a job there, a job. They are going to move workers from other Kennecott mines up here to work because they were displaced. They have first dibs. They are not going to stay open for the 10 years that they say (read the facts, Kennecott mines close earlier than the 10 years), and when they are done using that mine? We're left with nothing but unemployed Yoopers, holes in the ground, contaminated water and bad lungs.

As someone who has hiked all over the wilds of the UP, the only thing that mining, your relatives, has given us are potential holes to fall in and untold miles of rusting barb wire strewn all over the place. These industry supporters seem to forget that it's unwise to base your lives and hopes around something that is unsustainable--what are you going to do once the mines all dry up again? And they will dry up. Even the Tilden and Empire will close someday, perhaps sooner than we think. To not plan for it, to not anticipate it, only shows a gross ignorance and lack of respect toward future generations who depend on you to make smart, lasting decisions.

I'm not against the theory of mining but I am against the reality. Mining is a business, and a business' only concern is to make as much money as possible. Because of the mess that is the US legal system, it's possible to make a lot of money, pollute everything, and then hop shop to China, India, or some obscure African country and avoid legal prosecution. They can do that because of this concept called globalization; a concept I don't think a lot of the UP natives who seem to be for the mine understand. If the mines could be trusted to protect the environment, /the/ most important resource as it's the only reason you are even alive, and put nature back to the way it was, clean and wild, I'd be okay with mining. These minds can claim that they can do that, but the past history of mining speaks otherwise.

Most people moved to the UP for the environment, the fact that few people also means few crimes. Once you start flooding the place with people, you'll flood the place with all the problems they bring with them (at least then TV6 will be busy with all kinds of things to report on). More people will translate to a higher cost of living, too, and all that extra money you think you'll be making will really translate to less. Here's another thing for everyone to consider: could it be that the reason jobs are hard to find right now is because there are already too many people who live here for the jobs that are available? Do you really think your standard of living will improve when there will always be someone in a third world country who will be willing to do what you do for ten cents an hour? Our minerals might be in the UP, but I'm sure these transnational companies will do everything to make sure that the minerals are one of few things that have to come from here. Perhaps if everyone became inspired to work for $1/hour more businesses would be willing to come here, but until that happens we can keep blaming the unions for their "unfair" and high wages.

First off I would like to thank Mr. Hume for taking time to do the leg work on this series. Part 1 I enjoyed and was educated as to how many companies that are looking to "Dig in the U.P."
Thank you Mr.Hume for that. I trust that a 5 part series like "Founders Follies" will be in order for this Mining Business. MS. Lieberman did a great job on that series. Did it get your attention Marquette city officials??????? Make ya look pretty goofy.
Back to Mining. This is a business that made the U.P. what it is today. It was good enough for our relatives that worked in the underground copper and iron ore mines. Put them in homes fed their families and gave some of them the best days of their lives. Some lost their lives which is sad but comes with that type of work. Construction workers face the same deal police officers, firefighters etc.....
I think the Mning will be good for the economy, go out and try to find a full time job in the U.P. rightnow that has benefits. Good luck Chuck.
There is always talk of keeping our youth in the U.P. well open your eyes this is a chance. There are plenty of forestlands left for all of us. I really don't see these mines being too invasive. I am sure others feel different but I am just looking at the economy of the U.P. and see mines to be the answer.
Just one humble man's opinion.

If I had more time, I'd try to clear up a little more of the misinformation than this one point.

No jobs for the locals? You have to be kidding!!!! The U.P. has more mining experience than most states in the entire nation! Not to mention, you don't need to be a miner to get a job with Kennecott. You can be an environmental engineer (or many other types of engineers), an accountant, a receptionist, an inventory specialist, a geologist, or even just a HARD WORKER. Many of these jobs do not require you to be a white collar Rio Tinto employee. They may not be advertising, but if you really want a job, you might be able to get one. However, if you are vehemently opposed to any NEW mining in the U.P., I wouldn't suggest trying it. You might be suprised to find Kennecott is not the demon they are portrayed to be. BTW - all of these jobs pay better than the one at your local kayak shop. Respectfully...

I find it ironic that Brad Van Sluyters places the onus of the anti-mine movement on "wealthy small groups" when nothing could be further from the truth. I have been active in the anti-mine movement since the first rumors of the mine and trust me I am not wealthy. I could live in a big city and make more money but I choose to earn less because it is the price you pay to live in the beautiful Upper Peninsula . It is the large wealthy groups that have visions of dollar signs dancing in their heads. His ex-workplace being one of them with all the advertising that Kennecott does on TV6. It is these groups that care more about the almighty dollar than the well being of future generations of U.P. hunters, fishermen and the pristine wilderness. Just how naive these people are astound me. Exactly just what kind of jobs do you think are going to be available for locals. This is not CCI. These will be non-union, low wage jobs. Costly and inappropriate health care and no retirement package other than a 401K that nobody will be able to afford to contribute to anyway. The very few "living wage" jobs will be for Rio Tinto executives who come from out of state and don't give a whit about the Upper Peninsula . And after ten years or so they will leave us here with the mess.

is there anyone reading this who would take a Kennecott job even if they oppose the mine?

and further, is there anyone (currently unemployed) that thinks their unemployment problems will be solved by this mine who has applied for permits?

When are the rest of the residents in the U.P. that are still in need of a job going to come to their senses....and tell these wealthy small groups whose orientation is for anti-development to move on. If the hard working people don't these wealthy groups will be buying big billboards on all incoming roads advertising "U.P. now closed to all new business development"!!!

U.P. now closed!!!

I suppose I should appreciate Jerry Hume's reporting on the new facts that now tell of the four foreign corporations looking to exploit the mineral resources of the UP--including Marquette, Baraga, Iron, Gogebic, Ontonagan, Houghton and Menominee Counties! I'm not one to "shoot the messenger," and I also recognize perhaps the reporter's (a local boy's) quandry in having to look at a rather bleak future for he and his nieces in Marquette County (from his bio) in regard to the outdoor environment that they have enjoyed up to now--and which will be inevitably and heavily impacted by the proposed mining plans of these corporations.
Yoopers had initially been told that there was only a single mine planned for the Yellow Dog Plains, our roadways, forestlands and surrounding watersheds. Now, we learn that Kennecott intends to possibly create six more mines.
And then add the other companies who now intend to mine copper, nickel, platinum, zinc, gold, and uranium. I'm sure that the "do-little-to-protect-our resources"--the Michigan DNR, DEQ and the Federal EPA-- will have their hands full trying to "ride herd" on all of these new, potential polluting mine sites. It will be an impossible task--most likely only a "catch-up" approach to montoring and hoping that things don't get too out of control. Nor can they promise that nothing negative will occur. Just go for it, and let the pollution and problems fall where they may...
It's interesting too that the Lake Superior Community Partnership, who just a few months ago lauded the importance of "Buy Michigan" are now continuing to support corporate foreign investment (and their profits) to be be taken at our risk and off to their benefit overseas--both in money, the ores, and precious metals.
I can also see the present media blitz that Kennecott has fostered and which is now in bloom--as they continue to push for the EPA permits they need.
Promises, promises. The aftermath, which may soon be upon us, will likely be something that we all regret. If I'm still living, I dread the "leftovers" that we will begin to see on our lands and waters within a decade's time. Nobody seems to think of our posterity--and how they may be excluded from enjoying much of the great outdoors and healthy living that was possible in the UP up to now. It's really a shame. Sorry, kids.

According to Kennecott's defense of their mining application, they would have you believe they will have little impact on the Yellow Dog Plains.

Truth is, six more projects already announced before they even break ground on the first without all permits in hand, and they also would have you believe it's a green light as the media is reporting.

Kennecott (coyote)

cleaning out the chicken coop (Yellow Dog Plains)

while the coop door was left open (DNR/MDEQ's lack of consideration of the mine application environmental deficiencies).

Suuweeeeeet.

All these mineral deposits are in sulfide ore.

This is going to become a major ecological disaster for the UP. Sulfide ore has NEVER been mined where it didn't pollute the watershed around it. Why do you think there is a moratorium in Wisconsin? Because Kennecott's Flambeau mine is releasing elevated metal levels into the Flambeau River as we speak!

For the Michigan DNR/DEQ to allow this type of mining to go ahead is to simply disregard the environment of the UP. And they are allowing this mine to be located state land no less. A private venture, making billions off of UP minerals, UP state land, for their company stockholders.

It's obvious the State of Michigan would rather face lawsuits from environmental groups than from worldwide mining giant, RIO Tinto, with a big stake of China ownership, maybe soon to be an entirely run Chinese company.

Michigan has recently thrown millions in add campaigns to boost their economy through tourism.

Who will want to visit the UP when their former favorite recreational area in the Wildnerness will be fenced off for a mine, their rivers depleted of fish due to the discharges for which permits these mining companies will be able to obtain legally from the state? Just a slight change in the composition of the Salmon Trout River, which is really the size of a stream in many places, will really screw up things for any fish living in it.
For Kennecott's Eagle Project, at least 120 acres will be fenced of for 35+ years, clear cut, with timber sales going to the state. How many acres will be fenced off for Kennecott's six other projects? And Bitteroot, and all the other mining companies? Say goodbye the the UP as you once knew it. It will change rapidly if Kennecott is able to construct "Eagle Project". If you choose to give up, not oppose this, as Kennecott would like you to do, and as they would have you believe this is already a done deal, then go buy some RIO stock. In the meantime, I'm speaking up against this project as I hope a majority of the rest of the opposition does as well. Mine projects have been effectely stopped, most recently in Canada due to potential adverse affects to the environment and effect on the people that live there. There's no reason why Eagle Project can't be stopped dead in it's tracks as well as Kennecott's application is deficient, on hundreds of levels. I

Yeah, Kennecott says they have six more targets relatively "close" to current proposed mine. In their eyes, "close" means within 50 miles or so. Six more projects in this 50 mile radius would effectively ruin this tract of wilderness, not to mention "eagle Project" alone. These proposed projects are going to help no one but these mining companies. What a travesty for the serenity and wilderness of the UP. What we live here for is going to be fenced off, clear cut, polluted, trashed, but Kennecott would leave you to believe you will never know they are there. After breathing in the tons of pollutants they will spew into the air yearly, after no longer being able to find coasters in the Salmon Trout River, after not being able to go for a quiet drive on the YDP because you will come upon project after project of Kennecotts, then will you think, "I didn't know Kennecott was there".?

Please, get your facts straight before reporting.

Kennecott has been granted some permits, but are still waiting on the EPA permit and cannot begin construction until the opposition contested cases are heard and ruled in favor of Kennecott.

Kennecott's application for the mine is deficient in protecting the YDP and watershed, therefore the opposition and the necessary contested case petitions and lawsuits.

Please don't suggest it's a done deal until it truly is a done deal.

The legalities related to this project could drag on for years. Kennecott knows this darn well, as Munchmore has stated publicly "lawsuits are just part of the process".

For Cherry to suggest this mine is beginning construction in May is pure misinformation to try to make it sound to the public it is a done deal.

It's a shame that I've lived in the UP my whole life, wanted to raise my kids here and now these mines are going to drive me right out of here. As I'm sure it's going to do to a lot of people. Makes me sick to think about it.