YELLOW DOG PLAINS -- As the spring thaw approaches, Kennecott Minerals is preparing for construction of their nickel-copper mine in Marquette County.  But there are still some hurdles before they can use state land on the Yellow Dog Plains.

Kennecott’s mine would use a controversial sulfide mining process to extract the minerals.

"Right now we're currently in the process of working with various contractors, going through pre-qualifications, pre-biding and general discussions about the opportunities that are out there for construction, as well as planning for construction later this spring,” Eagle Project General Manager Jon Cherry said.

The company already has three permits from the D.E.Q. and two from the D.N.R.  But there are still some road blocks before they can use land leased from the state.

"We are involved in contested cases, 2 contested cases and two lawsuits,” Michelle Halley, a lawyer with the National Wildlife Federation said.  “And the E.P.A. permit has not been on public notice yet and there's not a known timeline for that to occur, so I think breaking ground, if it ever occurs, I really don't think it will be this spring."

The D.N.R. says those legal matters must be resolved for Kennecott to move forward on state land.  The two contested cases are scheduled to be heard April 28th in Lansing.

Still the mining company is preparing plans for its Eagle Project.  Kennecott is planning on trucking its ore along County Road 550.  But, although they won't give specifics, they say they're encouraged with an alternative north-south route that would be on the west side of the county.

Kennecott doesn't have a final timeline, but they'd like to begin construction late this spring and start production sometime in late 2009, early 2010.