Proposed Mine Threaten's Michigan's "Porkies"

Never before had I wanted to slip into the cold waters of Lake Superior so badly. It was July of 2024 and an oppressive heat dome had descended on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The typically turbulent lake was smoothed by the still, humid air, turning to glass. As I trudged through ankle-deep mud in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, I longed for the opportunity to unshoulder my pack and slip into the frigid relief of North America’s largest lake. 

It was at about this time in my life that I also became aware of the effort to prevent the construction of a copper-sulfide mine just past the border of the state park. If built, the Copperwood Mine would sit adjacent to the park’s western edge, within the watershed of the popular and beautiful Presque Isle River. The mine’s byproducts would have a major impact on the environment that draws many hikers and campers each year. 

“Already the mine's pre-construction activities have been audible from the state park and North Country Trail,” said Tom Grotewohl, who for the past several years has organized opposition to the Copperwood Mine under the banner of “Protect the Porkies.” 

“The Porcupine Mountains hold the largest old growth forest in Michigan and the largest eastern hemlock forest remaining in the country. The North Country Trail is the longest of all national hiking trails. And Lake Superior is this continent's largest, cleanest source of surface fresh water. Is the juncture of so much majesty the right place for a copper mine?” 

Perhaps the greatest potential threat of the Copperwood Mine is the construction of a massive tailings dam. Tailings are the toxic industrial byproduct of mining. In the case of Copperwood, more than 98% of the material produced by the mine are estimated to be a mixture of lead, mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals, according to Protect the Porkies. These materials have to be storied onsite, and for Copperwood, that means a massive storage facility visible from the most popular part of the state park. And the mine poses more than just a threat to the viewshed: The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission estimates that if the dam burst, its contents would reach Lake Superior in about 80 minutes. 

Luckily, Protect the Porkies’ efforts have been largely successful. On three different occasions, the State of Michigan has considered providing the company behind the mine, Highland Copper, millions of dollars in infrastructure grants. Each time, Protect the Porkies has raised both statewide and national opposition. As a result, funding for the mine has always been defeated. But now, Highland Copper is looking to take advantage of an administration much more willing to ignore environmental regulation by seeking a federal loan to kickstart their operations. 

In Michigan, being outside always carries the presumption of fresh, clean water. With the Great Lakes at our doorstep and a dense web of pristine rivers, Michigan backpackers, swimmers,  and day-adventurers can almost always count on a cool stream or crashing waves at the end of the day. The risks posed by the Copperwood Mine to the Presque Isle River and Lake Superior call that presumption into question. 

—Will DeMan