Northern Michigan University quietly withdrew support of the Copperwood Mine during the summer

This story was produced by My UP News correspondents Andrew Lorinsor and Schyler Perkins. Find the original story here.

The president of Northern Michigan University has taken back the support it once gave to a copper mine development project in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, according to a letter obtained via FOIA request.

The prospective mine site is located west of the Porcupine Mountains State Park, a few miles inland from Lake Superior. Its location and design have drawn ire from environmentalists and activists, who say they have collected over 400,000 signatures from people opposing it.

On Friday, a spokesperson for Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior (CSCLS), released the letter they uncovered, showing NMU quietly changed its position on the mine project eight months after its initial letter of support.

The discovery of the letter makes NMU the first known entity to withdraw support for the development.

The school had publicly given support to the mine through a Nov. 2023 letter to InvestUP, a regional business development organization, as Canadian mining company Highland Copper was seeking $50 million in government funds to assist with infrastructure upgrades around the mine site. That effort succeeded in advancing through the MEDC, but failed to pass through the State Senate last month.

The letter uncovered by CSCLS shows NMU President Dr. Brock Tessman quietly rescinded that support in July 2024 through another letter, where he outlined why he no longer believed that the Copperwood Mine project aligned with NMU’s values.

“As you may recall, I wrote a letter to you on November 22, 2023 indicating my support for the Copperwood Mine Project in Gogebic County. I signed that letter in my role as president of Northern Michigan University (NMU).

Since that time, my own understanding of the mine project has grown, as has NMU’s commitment to comprehensive sustainability and Indigenous communities through our signing of the Okanagan Charter. With that in mind, this letter serves as notification that, with information about the project currently available as well as our own core values, Northern Michigan University does not support the Copperwood Mine Project.”

— Dr. Brock Tessman, President of Northern Michigan University in July 19, 2024 letter to InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante

You can read Dr. Tessman’s full letter here.

A spokesperson for NMU confirmed the validity of the letter, but Tessman could not be reached for comment.

Jane Fitkin, Director of the CSCLS said, “we applaud NMU and Dr. Tessman for their commitment to the truth and setting the record straight.”

“While we wish this letter had come out sooner, we’re glad that members of the NMU community can now know that their university isn’t supporting a project with detrimental effects to our environment and long-term economy,” Fitkin said.

In his letter, Tessman noted the mine’s projected active life of 11 years may lead to a temporary economic boom but is likely to be overshadowed by “permanent ecological damage and a post-closure economic downturn.”

In a press release from the organization, student Korina Benavidez expressed relief at the university’s decision.

“A public university has no place officially supporting projects against the will of so many of its students and faculty,” said Benavidez.

Tessman’s letter also addressed the impact on Indigenous rights and natural resources.

“The threat to Indigenous rights and natural resources posed by the location of the mine and associated tailings is another point of major concern,” wrote Tessman.

The mine’s location has implications under the 1842 Treaty of La Pointe, affecting federally recognized tribes.

The $50 million grant funding for the project moved through state government over the course of the year, finally coming to votes in the state legislature in December.

The proposal failed in the State Senate, but passed the House. NMU alumnus and former University Board member Rep. Jason Morgan (D, Ann Arbor) opposed it.

“I remember the days when mining operations would bring investments to our communities and make commitments to put money in our communities, as opposed to us paying them to come here,” said Morgan in a committee meeting. 

Marty Fittante, CEO of InvestUP, spoke on behalf of the project, speaking toward stringent safety regulations and local support for the potential economic boost. 

CSCLS believes funding proposal from the State will not be taken up again in the new year.

My UP News has reached out to Tessman and Fittante for comment. We will update this article as we learn more.