April 5, 2004

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has announced the formation of a new work group to review state laws and regulations on metallic mineral mining. The work group is the result of concerns over mineral exploration in the western Upper Peninsula that may lead to the opening of new mines.

Mining companies have recently identified deposits of zinc, copper, nickel, gold, silver, and possibly other metals at two locations—one in southern Menominee County and the other in northern Marquette County. The companies are drilling additional test borings in both areas to determine whether the deposits are of the size and quality required for a profitable mining operation. If a decision is made to proceed with mining, it could be as much as three to five years before an actual mining operation begins.

Most of the metals in the deposits are chemically combined with sulfur to form metallic sulfides. If sulfide ores or associated waste rock are exposed to water and air, they form sulfuric acid, and if not properly contained and managed, the resulting acid rock drainage can contaminate groundwater and surface water with acids and dissolved metals.

The UP has a long history of metal mining, beginning with the mining of copper by Native Americans. At one time, Michigan was the world’s leading source of copper, and still ranks second among the states in iron ore production. Michigan mines have also produced gold, silver, and other metals, as well as having metallic sulfide mines in the past—most notably the White Pine Mine in Ontonagon County. Most of the metals previously mined in Michigan have been either pure metallic copper or iron oxides, which do not generally cause acid rock drainage problems.

Mining activities are subject to a variety of environmental and public health laws that apply to all industrial operations. These laws require permits and set standards for discharges to surface water, groundwater, and air; construction involving floodplains, wetlands, and lakes and streams; handling and disposal of liquid and solid wastes; spill prevention and containment; protection of endangered species; and other related issues. In addition, Michigan’s mine reclamation law sets standards for the stabilization, revegetation, and restoration of land affected by open pit mining operations, and for managing toxic or acid-forming wastes.

The DEQ, local citizens, and several environmental and conservation organizations have stated that state laws need to be strengthened to address the potential environmental impacts of new sulfide mines and processing facilities. Last year, the DEQ and the Department of Natural Resources began a review of state regulations that apply to mining, and held several meetings and discussions with concerned citizens and organizations. Due to the level of public concern, the six state legislators whose districts cover the UP asked DEQ Director Steven E. Chester to expand the review process by establishing a formal stakeholder work group.

The DEQ has contacted citizen activists, conservation and environmental groups, local government officials, and mining companies and invited them to participate in the work group. The work group will be co-chaired by the DEQ and DNR, with the first meeting to be held within a month.

“It is vital to hear the concerns of everyone who has an interest in this issue,” said Director Chester. “The DEQ needs to ensure that necessary protective measures are in place before a new sulfide mine can be considered." He has set a deadline of 120 days from the first meeting for the work group to submit recommendations on needed improvements to state laws and regulations.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised April 5, 2004 by Pat Watson