Group Opposes Mineral Lease for Eagle Mine

An area environmental group is voicing concerns about the Eagle Mine seeking a new mineral lease in Marquette County. “Save The Wild U.P.” says a plan by the mine’s parent company, Lundin Mining, seeking a new mineral lease from the State of Michigan for 40 acres of land in Michigamme Township exposes the Yellow Dog River to risk of contamination. In a statement, the group says the land in question is only one hundred feet from the Yellow Dog River’s floodplain. They are opposing the lease saying the mining could damage the river which is a federally-recognized National Wild and Scenic River with a status of ‘excellent’ water quality. The announcement of Lundin Mining’s mineral rights lease application was published last Monday and is currently under a legally-required 30-day public comment period. Interested parties can send their comments to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.