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Michigan town fights return to mining roots

By WASHINGTON POST
Published April 8, 2007

MARQUETTE, Mich. - Like much of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Marquette was built on mining. Thousands of immigrants arrived in the late 1800s and early 1900s to forge new lives in the copper and iron mines.

As mines closed during the mid 1900s and many residents fled to the auto industry in Detroit, the town and the region struggled.

Now, thanks to rapidly rising metal prices, international mining companies are again interested in the Upper Peninsula. A subsidiary of industry giant Rio Tinto wants to open the country's largest nickel mine about 25 miles from Marquette and various companies are prospecting for copper, nickel, uranium and other materials.

One would think they would be welcomed with open arms.

Think again.

The region has moved on. Tourism built on activities such as hunting, fishing, mountain biking, snowmobiling, skiing and kayaking has become its economic mainstay. Many residents say they don't want this greener economy sullied by mining.

Environmentalists are especially concerned about the proposed nickel mine, run by Kennecott Minerals Co., since it would tap into sulfide ore bodies, which, when exposed to air, produce sulfuric acid.

Kennecott project manager Jon Cherry said the mine would operate for about eight years and would be completely cleaned up a few years past that. He said potentially acid-producing waste would be contained in a double-lined pad and water quality would be restored.

But environmentalists contend that accidents are bound to happen.

Still, many residents see the mine as an economic opportunity that the area would be foolish to pass up.

"It would open up a lot of opportunities in the UP, it would be a much-needed boost for the area," said Tony Retaskie, executive director of the Upper Peninsula Construction Council and a Marquette native. "I think a lot of people feel that way but they don't want to go public supporting the mine."

[Last modified April 8, 2007, 01:16:06]