Copperwood Mine funding awaits committee vote

UPPER MICHIGAN (WLUC) - A new legislative year is here, but state spending to support a western U.P. mine project remains unsettled. Before the last legislative session ended, the Michigan Senate Appropriations Committee failed to take up the request for transfer of $50 million to Highland Copper.

Highland Copper is the Canadian company behind the Copperwood Mine project that would see a copper mine built in the western U.P.

If approved, the state’s $50 million would be added to $100 million the company plans to put up to improve the roads, electrical transmission and broadband in the project area, in Wakefield and Ironwood Townships.

The CEO of InvestUP says because this is a transfer and not a bill, it does not need to be reintroduced and Senate committee members can vote on the issue if and when they have the votes.

“Because this is a transfer, it does not need to start anew,” InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante said. “It’s part of the budget cycle. The budget extends from October to September, so this is part of that budget cycle that is actually still before the legislature. It requires just a transfer of the funds that have been appropriated by the MEDC to the state and into the SOAR fund.”

The group Protect the Porkies opposes the mine. Tom Grotewohl, a member of that group, says they’ve spoken with senators who also oppose the project.

“It may be under consideration indefinitely, but that doesn’t mean it will ever be voted on,” Grotewohl said. “We think we delivered a pretty thorough message to the Senate in the final months of last year. Over 15,000 people submitted emails and messages to the Senators. We have heard from a number of Senators that have confirmed that they will be voting no should it ever reach their desks again in the future.”

Fittante says Highland Copper has gone through the strict process of getting all necessary permits to operate.

“This mine is fully permitted,” Fittante said. “It’s gone through the most stringent mining standards in the country, arguably the world. Highland Copper has gone through this time-consuming, expensive process to meet all of the standards that Michigan says if you meet, you can mine.”

Fittante also says Highland Copper did outside polling that showed community support for the project and the more than 300 jobs it would create.

Protect the Porkies says that area isn’t a good fit for any development, not just mining, because of how close it is to the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

We will continue to stay in touch with lawmakers and keep you updated. The Senate just reconvened this week. One Democrat on the Appropriations Committee was elected to Congress, it is still unclear if she will be replaced on the panel.