Flanked by House Bill  6243s'  primary sponsor, State Representative Tom Casperson  along with UP State Senator Mike Prusi, Michigan's Governor Jennifer Granholm Poses for photos in a ceremonial Bill Signing of Public Act 449 of 2004. Granholm praised the cooperative effort of all the parties that brought about the legislation that would permit the development of the States natural resources, while creating jobs and protecting the environment. She especially praised the participation and contributions of local citizens. 
The process by which these diverse groups came together to form a consensus document in a timely manner on such a contentious issue is a great milestone for the people of the State of Michigan
For more information on this law go to the Michigan Legislatures web site for HB6243.
 
 

Cold temperatures and biting winds have not prevented Minerals Processing Corporation (MPC) from working on their Back 40 mineral exploration project west of Stephenson.
See Full Story here.

Flambeau Recognized by US BLM

The US Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, recognized Kennecott Minerals efforts at Flambeau with a sustainable development “Award for Community Outreach and Economic Security” in October, 2003. This award acknowledges “the concern shown for community responsibilities and the economic benefits of mineral development”, and was presented to Adrian Jackman (President, Kennecott Minerals Co.) For specific details visit www.osmre.gov or www.blm.gov.

Speedier Permit Approval
from: Forest County Online
Gov. Doyle announced Tuesday, [September 23, 2003] that as part of his "Grow Wisconsin" plan, he wants a strict time limit placed on agencies that deal with permit applications, and penalties on those agencies if the time limits are not met. He suggested that if the Legislature did not work in a cooperative manner he will direct the agencies to implement the necessary reforms through executive action.
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A Lesson for us all
I was apprehensive about writing this for fear of offending some folks who certainly do not deserve it, but I thought there were lessons for all of us to be reminded of. The other night, while working on a cedar chest that had been particularly difficult and was now late, I put the stain on and went to bed. A couple days later when the finish had cured, Kathy was putting on the polish coat and noticed some very obvious sanding lines in the top. She wasn't sure if she should say anything because it would mean another delay and we had worked so hard on it. In her own sweet way, she asked if I had noticed the lines in the top. She could have said, "How could you miss those bad scratches on the lid?" but she didn't and I was not defensive. In the light of day they were obvious, so we stripped it down and did it right.
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I 'm glad you asked

"I received some emails asking if there was any truth to what was heard at a meeting where someone said that Kennecott had given money to Dr. Richard Gertsch through Michigan Tech to fund an economic study for Menominee county. I wanted to check on the accuracy of this information, so I called Mr. Jon Cherry at Kennecott. He addressed the following letter to several parties with similar concerns; their names have been left out since I have not received permission to use them. 

Dale,
I really appreciate your efforts in checking the facts. I will make this as clear as I can and if you would like to share this email, please feel free. 
Kennecott Minerals Company has not approached Dr. Gertsch from MTU to conduct a "social economic study" of Menominee County. Kennecott Minerals has hired a private firm to conduct a socio-economic study for Marquette County, but it is not affiliated with Dr. Gertsch or MTU. I have spoken with Dr. Gertsch and other MTU professors regarding summer interns or graduate students for the Eagle Project, but no discussions have occurred regarding the Menominee prospect. However, I am aware that Dr. Gertsch is looking for funding for "A Proposal to Help Upper Peninsula Communities Identify and Deliberate the Costs and Benefits of Mining".
Secondly, Kennecott Minerals Company has not engaged in any meetings or conversations with MPC or Mr. Quigley regarding acquisition, exploration or operation of the mineral prospect in Menominee County. Therefore, Kennecott Minerals will not "be taking over from Mr. Quigley."
I hope this helps. If I can provide any additional clarifications, please let me know.
Jon
Jon Cherry, P.E.
Manager of Environment and
Governmental Affairs
Kennecott Minerals Company
1004 Harbor Hills Dr, Suite 103
Marquette, Michigan 49855
 
Since I have participated in various meetings addressing potential mining in Michigan, I have learned to be more questioning of everything I hear and read. Remember the kid's game, "Telephone"? Many of the things we hear have elements of the truth but are not completely accurate. To get a more accurate picture of a situation, we really need to view things from various perspectives. Check the reliability of the source. Cross-reference with other sources. Try to determine under what conditions the information applies. I believe the success of the mining legislation work group was due to the diversity of the participants and their willingness to seek the best conclusions.   
The grant proposal that Dr. Gertsch has presented to Kennecott is for funding graduate students who will participate in an Initiative originated at Michigan Tech to help supply needed information to the communities in the Upper Peninsula that would be affected by mining. As of March 7, Dr. Gertsch and his colleagues are still refining the proposal and Kennecott is still considering their contribution, if any. Other sources of funding for this project are also being approached. 
Keeping with our principles of openness, the full grant proposal to Kennecott will be posted on our web site: www.mine-or-ours.info"

click here for full draft of this letter
 

Michigan Tech responds

click here for more information

Permit List
Al Trippel from ERM (Environmental Resource Management) has given us a partial list of permits and requirements for a new metallic mine in Michigan. It contains 26 permit or approval programs from Air Emissions permits regulated by the U. S. EPA and MDEQ to Emergency Planning and Right to Know approvals regulated by MDEQ-Environmental Science Division, Michigan State Police and U. S. EPA. The complete list can be found at: www.mine-or-ours.info/MinePermitting.pdf

National Mining Policy
from: Forest County Online

In 1986, the year that Exxon pulled out of Wisconsin, the U.S. imported 10 percent of five essential minerals. By the year 2000, that number had increased to thirteen. The trend is only expected to increase. While the U.S. coal resources provide the world's largest energy reserve within the borders of one nation, it requires 29 separate minerals to harness and deliver that as domestic power.
See Full Story here.

The search for minerals worth mining

by Tom Quigley: President of Minerals Processing Corporation

As a follow up to the identification of potential minerals in the subsurface, we started drilling last fall to extract continuous cores of the bedrock below us for further analysis and evaluation. The diamond studded drill bits cut through solid rock to provide us with a continuous sample of what is really down there.
See Full Story here.
 
 

AB 228 encourages businesses to conduct their own environmental audits by providing limited liability protection in cases where they agree to address problems discovered in their selfevaluation. This bill also rewards companies that move beyond environmental compliance if they include most of the DNR's "Green Tier" initiative measures. Unfortunately, the Governor has expressed a reluctance to sign this bill.
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Time to Prepare
"When the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is past."

DEQ work group deliberates rules to implement mining bill

Mine or Not? If mining operations are to occur in this area, how should they be done? How do we minimize the cost and maximize the benefits for all the stakeholders? As I have participated in various meetings, tours, and work groups around Michigan and Wisconsin that have addressed this issue, I have come to several conclusions:
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Act 451 The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act

In 1994 the Michigan legislature passed a new act to cover laws pertaining to the use and protection of our natural resources. This Act is called the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA). This law replaced the 1982 Act written for the same purpose.
Parts of the 1982 Act covered Surface and underground mining and mine exploration. For some reason the 1994 act omitted the term underground or sub surface.
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Michigan Mining Notes
from: Forest County Online
Edward Downing, vice president of operations for Cleveland Cliffs, Inc. recently announced that its Ishpeming Michigan central office will be closed as a result of consolidation of its Michigan mining operations.
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Crandon Mine Report to be released
from: Forest County Online
Anders Andren, chairman of the panel appointed by former Gov. Tommy Thompson to study the proposed Forest County zinc and copper deposit, announced that the group will issue its final conclusions and recommendations this fall even though the panel has been dissolved by order of the current governor.
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Michigan Mining Tourism
from: Forest County Online
The Houghton County Historical Society recently announced the receipt of a $100,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The funds will be used to reconstruct a copper grinding mill on the foundation of the old Calumet & Hecla Mining Company mill in Lake Linden.
See Full Story here.