In what I believe could be the first new mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in decades, the state's Department of Environmental Quality has approved a nickel and copper mine near Marquette, on the Yellow Dog Plains. The operator of the proposed mine, Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company, hopes to begin construction later this year. The mine is expected to employ 200, along with 500 contractors. Michigan has the nation's highest unemployment rate.
But breaking ground is not a fait accompli. A proposed initiative may block the mine, and the US Environmental Protection Agency still has to approve it. The Obama EPA has not been kind to mining.
Currently, nickel is only mined as a secondary mineral. Yellow Dog Plains will change that. With the continuing development of the Chinese and Indian economies, demand for it will increase. Nickel has many industrial applications, its use in batteries and stainless steel fabrication are prominent. Canada, Russia, and Cuba are major suppliers of nickel.
Related posts:
Upper Peninsula Upventure: The Finale
A brief history of copper mining
Technorati tags:
michigan 
upper peninsula 
copper 
mining 
news 
jobs 
economy 
nickel
No comments:
Post a Comment