LANSING, Mich. — U.P. legislators spoke out against Northern Michigan University and its recent release of a letter changing its position of support for the Copperwood project to neutral. Copperwood would be the first U.P. copper mine in over 20 years, but the U.P. has had hundreds of copper mines in the last two centuries. The ore body is large enough to be an active mine for two decades at the proposed production rate and would employ over 700 directly and indirectly.

“The United States government has recognized copper and other materials are necessary and need to be mined here,” said Congressman Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet. “This isn’t a game, it’s livelihoods and the future of our nation. These critical minerals, which are just as necessary for NMU itself, are needed now both for our security and for our economic prosperity.”

“Copper mining is a part of the great heritage of the U.P. and NMU — something it notes in its own history,” said Sen. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs. “It is beneath the dignity of a great institution like NMU, who claims a role in helping the region’s economy, to ignore this proud mining history and cave to the whims of political activists and their cause with no concern for the hardworking men and women who live here and work in the industry and all those who rely on its products.”

Michigan’s modern mining laws were passed unanimously in 2004 and signed by Democrat Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Numerous environmental groups assisted and praised the passage of the laws.

“Last month, one of the anti-mining leaders, who just moved here from Missouri, said U.P. residents don’t appreciate the beauty of the area and compared U.P. natives to heroin addicts when it comes to mining,” said Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township. “These groups are showing their duplicity and arrogance by insisting that they value clean water and the beauty of this place while EGLE and any U.P. resident supporting the mine does not.”

Various groups and individuals ramped up the pressure on officials last month when a vote for $50 million for roads, electrical transmission, and broadband was up in the Legislature. The state’s $50 million would be added to the $100 million the company was putting up to improve the public infrastructure at the west end of the U.P. The Senate did not take up the request but reconvenes this week.

“NMU’s timing on this couldn’t be more frustrating,” McBroom said. “Death threats against legislators and other supporters, comparisons to the recently murdered CEO in New York, and pressure against institutions like NMU show how desperate and illegitimate the opposition is becoming.”

“It is really disturbing to see NMU parroting the falsehoods and misrepresentations of these activists,” said Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock. “This project has a higher percent yield of copper than other U.S. and world copper mines. EGLE has verified the tailings do not leach acid and has also permitted the tailings dam design to be safe. Removing its support over these easily shown inaccuracies is very irresponsible, and just a call to ask about the issues would have shown that.”

“I just visited various businesses and Gogebic Community College last month,” said Rep. Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River. “The area has been abandoned by the state and many opportunities for far too long. NMU succumbing to activist rhetoric about the jobs not being good enough or long enough fails to recognize what the citizens there are saying. Schools, colleges, communities and citizens have all issued statements of support, including 22 local resolutions of support. They deserve to see the prosperity Marquette County and, especially, NMU have enjoyed from having the Eagle Mine and Tilden operating in their area.”

“Eagle Mine has shown how successful Michigan’s mining laws are at protecting the environment while bringing prosperity to a region,” said Rep. Karl Bohnak, R-Marquette. “Michigan Tech has continued its support and is highly regarded as one of the best schools in the country. Their history and expertise in this field should help us all to support the Copperwood project.”

“There is clearly room for tourism and mining here,” said Rep. Parker Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “While it is disappointing to see NMU back out on this, the support across the U.P. is very strong. We can mine and care about the environment at the same time. I am confident we will see U.P. copper become a major part of the Michigan and U.S. economy again.”

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