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News
WAKEFIELD TWNSHP/LANSING – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on March 26 to announce over $85 million in grant funding for projects they say support job growth.
The majority of that money, $50 million, will go to the Canadian mining company Highland Copper for the development of Copperwood Mine in Gogebic County.
The project is estimated to create 380 jobs and generate $425 million in capital investment, according to a news release from the Governor’s Office. An impact study by Public Sector Consultants estimated the project would generate more than $15 million annually in local, county, state and federal revenue while increasing business spending across the state by more than $130 million per year.
“The U.P. was built on mining,” said state Representative Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock). “We produced the raw materials that fueled the Industrial Revolution. For far too long, we have outsourced our resource production to countries with far inferior workplace safety standards and environmental protections. We have a great opportunity, and I’m glad we are moving forward with this project.”
According to The Detroit News, opponents of the project criticized the use of public funds, voiced concern over the potential environmental impact and accused the project of preying on “rural economic insecurity.” In the last 30 years, the area has lost major employers including White Pine Mine, the Ontonagon Paper Mill and the Ojibway Correctional Facility.
Copperwood Resources, a subsidiary of Highland Copper, is responsible for the construction of the mine. The $50 million grant is to help address the significant cost of site improvements including transportation, power and telecommunications upgrades.
According to the economic development organization InvestUP, Copperwood Mine is “one of very few fully permitted greenfield copper mines in the U.S. The copper being mined has a non-acid generating ore body, meaning it is incapable of producing acidic runoff that would adversely affect the environment and the health of people or animals. The project will not draw water from Lake Superior.”
The mine will occupy 505 acres across Wakefield and Ironwood townships, and include a processing plant, tailings disposal facility and an area for ore stockpile.
“For over a decade, Wakefield Township has been involved with and fully supports Highland Copper and their continuing efforts in creating a fully permitted, safe mining operation within our township and neighboring Ironwood Township,” said Wakefield Township Supervisor Mandy Lake. “...We look forward to continuing our partnership to help them provide an essential copper resource, which will help boost our local economy and support Michigan’s initiatives for a bright and booming future through [electric vehicles] and clean energy.”
Salary estimates for the jobs brought by the mine are to be in the range of $80,000-$120,000. Construction is slated to start this year with production launching in 2026.