A recent trip to the Eagle Mine near Marquette, Michigan has left several Oneida county board members impressed with that operation.
There's an advisory vote coming up in November whether the board should pursue mining on county forest land in the Town of Lynne.
The Eagle mine is operated on 150 acres and is expected to produce 360 million pounds of nickel, 295 million pounds of copper and small amounts of other metals over its nine-year mine life. Lundin,Mining estimates the impact to Michigan's economy is $4.3 billion.
Seven of 21 supervisors went to tour the mine. In turn, each gave a synopsis of their observations. Many felt the modern mine there was eye-opening, compared to past mining operations. Among the common points, they said the mine was under the Yellow Dog River and associated wetlands, and a shaft drilled at an angle was used to avoid contact with the river and wetlands. The mining took place under the river and when done, concrete is being poured in to fill the hole. The mine tailings were processed on site underground. Company officials said they have containment areas to prevent runoff. A nearby processing plant also impressed the eye witnesses.
The possible Lynne site is smaller than the Eagle mine site.
Supervisor Bob Mott said his favorable review of the Eagle mine met with some oppostion back in his district...
"...But the key is to become educated. I would impress that again and again. I was educated here. It's new mining. It's different from the legacy I had in my mind. If by becoming educated I became a turncoat, then so be it...."
A group, "Protect The Willow" also has formed to ask the public to vote no on the advisory referendum. The ballot will ask whether county-owned lands should be leased for exploration, prospecting and mining. A no vote advises they shouldn't consider those uses on county land.
