Mining Future Committee Includes Keweenaw Residents

Several Copper Country residents are among the members of the new Committee on Michigan’s Mining Future.

The advisory group was recently created by the legislature to recommend changes to state mining policy to help develop the use of natural resources while protecting the environment.

As provided in a press release from the state, here are the members of the committee, with brief biographies: 

Snehamoy Chatterjee, Ph.D., Houghton, is an assistant professor of mining engineering at Michigan Technological University. He earned his Ph.D. in Mining Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. Dr. Chatterjee is appointed to represent current or former research faculty members at a university in this state that hold a master’s or doctorate degree in mining or geology, for a term commencing October 6, 2019 and expiring January 4, 2022. 

Evelyn H. Ravindran, of L’Anse, is the director of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resources Department. She is a member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College Environmental Science Program External Advisory Panel. Ms. Ravindran is appointed to represent a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe that has trust lands in this state, for a term commencing October 6, 2019 and expiring January 4, 2022. 

Timothy C. Eisele, Ph.D., of Atlantic Mine, is an associate professor from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Michigan Technological University, where he teaches minerals processing and metals extraction. He earned his Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Dr. Eisele is the designee of Representative Sara Cambensy, who is the State Representative for the House District with the highest production from metallic mineral mines in this state. 

Richard W. Becker, of Monroe, is the president of Michigan Paving & Materials Company and the operator of his family’s soybean, corn, and wheat farm in Monroe County. Mr. Becker is appointed to represent an aggregate mining operation in this state, for a term commencing October 6, 2019 and expiring January 4, 2022. 

Sean Hammond, of Lansing, is the deputy policy director for the Michigan Environmental Council. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Michigan State University College of Law. Mr. Hammond is appointed to represent an environmental nonprofit organization in this state with expertise in mining, for a term commencing October 6, 2019 and expiring January 4, 2022. 

Matthew D. Johnson, of Marquette, is the manager of government and community relations for Eagle Mine in Champion Township. He earned his Master of Science in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University. Mr. Johnson is appointed to represent a metallic nonferrous mining operation in this state, for a term commencing October 6, 2019 and expiring January 4, 2022. 

Stephen Kesler, Ph.D., of Ann Arbor, is an emeritus professor of the geological sciences at the University of Michigan. He earned his Ph.D. in Geology from Stanford University. Dr. Kesler is appointed to represent current or former research faculty members at a university in this state that hold a master’s or doctorate degree in mining or geology, for a term commencing October 6, 2019 and expiring January 4, 2022. 

James M. Kochevar, of Marquette, is a registered professional engineer and the general manager of Cleveland Cliff’s iron ore mining and processing location in Ishpeming. He earned his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. Mr. Kochevar is appointed to represent a ferrous mining operation in this state, for a term commencing October 6, 2019 and expiring January 4, 2022. 

Chad J. Korpi, of Ishpeming, is an industrial electrician for Cleveland Cliffs, Inc. and the president of amalgamated United Steelworkers Local 4950. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering Technology from Northern Michigan University. Mr. Korpi is appointed to represent a member of a local chapter of an international steel workers union representing workers at an ongoing ferrous mining operation in this state or workers from an idled ferrous mining operation in this state, for a term commencing October 6, 2019 and expiring January 4, 2022. 

Jerome Maynard, of Marquette, is an attorney and mediator for Jerome I. Maynard, PLC and a member of the Superior Watershed Partnership Board. In 2011, Maynard retired from the Dykema Gossett law firm, where he was a partner and environmental law attorney. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mr. Maynard is appointed to represent an environmental nonprofit organization in this state with expertise in mining, for a term commencing October 6, 2019 and expiring January 4, 2022. 

Deborah L. Pellow, of Ishpeming, is a trustee for the Tilden Township Board and the secretary and treasurer for the Marquette County Land Bank Authority. In 2018, Pellow retired as the director of the Ishpeming Area Wastewater Treatment Facility. Ms. Pellow is appointed to represent a municipality in this state where a ferrous, metallic nonferrous, or aggregate mining operation is located, for a term commencing October 6, 2019 and expiring January 4, 2022. 

Harold “Hal” R. Fitch, of Lansing, is the president of H.R. Fitch Consulting Services, LLC. and the former director of the Oil, Gas, and Minerals Division at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. He received his Bachelor of Science in Geology from Michigan Technological University. Mr. Fitch is the designee of Senator Ed McBroom, who is the State Senator for the Senate District with the highest production from metallic mineral mines in this state. 

Additional members of the Committee include the chief executive officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the director of the Department of Natural Resources, and the director of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, or their designees.