A new copper mine could be coming to the Upper Peninsula for the first time since 1997.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has initially green lighted a $50 million state grant for the proposed Copperwood Mine in Gogebic County. The Canadian-owned mine in the Western UP would support 380 jobs and create $1.3 billion in new personal income.
CEO Quentin Messer says community feedback has been key to the process.
“What we heard in an overwhelming voice was that communities across the UP sort of said they understood and implored us to try to support this because they realized that if it didn’t, what it could do to those communities,” Messer said.
A new survey says 82% of Upper Peninsula residents support growing the mining industry. The funding still needs legislative approval.
